<unk>  (or<unk>  is a hematopoietic growth factor that is involved in the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of monocytes,<unk> s, and bone marrow progenitor cells.<unk>  affects<unk> s and monocytes in several ways, including<unk>  increased phagocytic and chemotactic activity, and increased tumour cell cytotoxicity. The role of<unk>  is not only restricted to the monocyte/macrophage cell lineage. By interacting with its membrane receptor <unk> R or<unk> -R encoded by the c-fms proto-oncogene),<unk>  also modulates the proliferation of earlier hematopoietic progenitors and influence numerous physiological processes involved in immunology, metabolism, fertility and pregnancy.<unk>  released by osteoblasts (as a result of endocrine stimulation by parathyroid hormone) exerts paracrine effects on osteoclasts.<unk>  binds to receptors on osteoclasts inducing differentiation, and ultimately leading to increased plasma calcium levels—through the resorption (breakdown) of bone. Additionally, high levels of<unk>  expression are observed in the endometrial epithelium of the pregnant uterus as well as high levels of its receptor<unk> R in the placental trophoblast. Studies have shown that activation of trophoblastic<unk> R by local high levels of<unk>  is essential for normal embryonic implantation and placental development. More recently, it was discovered that<unk>  and its receptor<unk> R are implicated in the mammary gland during normal development and neoplastic growth.
Macrophage colony-stimulating factor
Macrophage-activating factor
Leukemia inhibitory factor
Hemopoietic growth factor
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin
Interleukin
Major basic protein
Tumor necrosis factor