Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in inflammatory lung diseases: pathogenic contributor and therapeutic target

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is an integral pathogenic factor in inflammatory lung pathologies including asthma, COPD, and lung cancer. As a pro-inflammatory cytokine, GM-CSF triggers the division and stimulation of granulocytes and macrophages, exacerbating the inflammatory response and promoting lung tissue damage. GM-CSF is an essential factor in promoting the production of the corresponding cytokines, levelling the effect of local activity by stimulating the infiltration of immune cells and maintaining chronic inflammation. Therefore, its neutralization in many ways leads to the cessation of the progression and exacerbation of inflammation in the lungs of patients with corresponding pathologies. Inhibitory therapy associated with GM-CSF reduces the number of immune cells and activates them at the inflammatory focus. The use of neutralizing antibodies to treat an acute inflammatory process is promising because they relatively quickly neutralize the effect of pathogenic GM-CSF. However, the immunocyte response can also be inhibited at the level of formation. Therapy with GM-CSF inhibitors can significantly reduce acute inflammation but can lead to adverse changes in the innate immunity of the patient. This review highlights GM-CSF's dual function of GM-CSF as a pathogenic contributor and possible treatment targets.