Abstract: (7235 Views)
Macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) has previously been shown to affect the differentiation of cells of the mono-nuclear phagocytic line. More recent studies indicate that M-CSF may have a role in pregnancy. In the present study, the expression of M-CSF in the human placenta was demonstrated. Placental mRNA was isolated and used as template for synthesis of complementary DNA (cDNA). The presence of M-CSF related sequences in the cDNA was shown by PCR and RT-PCR reactions in which M-CSF specific primers were used. In addition, it was shown that a 2.4 kb cDNA after electrophoresis and transfer to a nylon filter, hybridized with a digoxygenin labeled M-CSF specific probe.