FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OF NEUTROPHILS INDUCED BY G-CSF AND GM-CSF TREATMENT - DIFFERENTIAL-EFFECTS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

G-CSF and GRn-CSF are hematopoietic growth factors required for prolif eration and differentiation of hematopoietic precursors. G-CSF is now widely used to overcome neutropenias of various origins. Beside the ab solute number, the functional capacity of neutrophils at sites of infl ammation is of major importance in host defense. This review summarize s major functional and phenotypical features of neutrophils induced by G-CSF treatment in patients with acquired and congenital neu tropenia s. Furthermore, we focus on the differential effect of G-CSF and GM-CS F on neutrophil function in vitro and in vivo. Some of the altered abi lities of cytokine-induced neutrophils are important to understand sid e-effects of G-CSF therapy.