Mice lacking granulocyte colony-stimulating factor have chronic neutropenia, granulocyte and macrophage progenitor cell deficiency, and impaired neutrophil mobilization

Abstract

Mice lacking granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) were generated by targeted disruption of the G-CSF gene in embryonal stem cells. G-CSF- deficient mice (genotype G-CSF-/-) are viable, fertile, and superficially healthy, but have a chronic neutropenia. Peripheral blood neutrophil levels were 20% to 30% of wild-type mice (genotype G-CSF+/+) and mice heterozygous for the null mutation had intermediate neutrophil levels, suggesting a gene- dosage effect. In the marrow of G-CSF-/- mice, granulopoietic precursor cells were reduced by 50% and there were reduced levels of granulocyte, macrophage, and blast progenitor cells. Despite G-CSF deficiency, mature neutrophils were still present in..