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Biotech / Medical : Ligand (LGND) Breakout! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Machaon who wrote (17120)	3/10/1998 9:39:00 PM
From: Henry Niman	Respond to of 32384

<<G-CSF and GM-CSF are sometimes confused because of similarities in their scientific names. "Granulocyte CSF" is actually a misnomer, because G-CSF influences the proliferation and differentiation of neutrophil precursors only and has little to no effect on the other granulocytes, which include basophils and eosinophils. GM-CSF is more appropriately named, in that it influences the proliferation and maturation of all granulocytes, and monocytes as well. GM-CSF supports the in vitro growth of pluripotent stem cells and nongranulocyte myeloid progenitor cells. Both growth factors function by binding to specific receptors on hematopoietic progenitor cells and mature blood cells.>> Bob, Actually, the above paragraph really isn't that tough. I little background and a clue or two and you'll have that spell checked beat by a mile :-). cyte means cell, or all of the names above that end with cyte are types of cells. The two interleukins (growth factors) being described both end in CSF (Colony Stimulating Factor) because of the way that they are discovered. Each supports the growth of certain types of cells which end up forming little colonies of cells. They were named for the types of cells that grew, but the paragraph indicates that the names are not as accurate or descriptive as the should be. G-CSF (Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor) would be expect to cause Granulocytes (several types of white blood cells) to grow, but in fact only causes a subset to grow. However, GM (Granulocyte Macrophage) -CSF is more appropriately named because it does cause Granulocytes (several types of white blood cells) to grow as well as other types. The cells all begin as a young immature cell (pluripotent stem cells), and GM-CSF allows more types of cells to mature. If the above is still to full of jargon, try this. Young immature cells need a strong influence to become mature adults. The influence is applied by various growth factors, which are named after that mature adults that grow up under their influence. Some of the growth factors are improperly named because the immature cells don't really growth up with the ability to express their full potential. The Professional Factor should allow the young immature adult to be a doctor, lawyer, or dentist. However, only dentists result from the Professional Factor. On the other hand, the Professional Plus factor is more appropriately named. It can take an immature adult and produce a Doctor, Lawyer, Dentist, or Computer Programmer. Even though Professional Factor and Professional Factor Plus sound similar, the Professional Plus Factor really allows for more immature cells to grow up to be many professionals while the Professional Factor should really be called a Dentists R Us Factor.