A novel monoclonal antibody against porcine macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF1) detects expression on the cell surface of macrophages

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF1) controls the proliferation and differentiation of cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system through binding to the receptor CSF1R. The expression and function of CSF1 has been well-studied in rodents and humans, but knowledge is lacking in other veterinary species. The development of a novel mouse anti-porcine CSF1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) facilitates the characterisation of this growth factor in pigs. Cell surface expression of CSF1 was confirmed on differentiated macrophage populations derived from blood and bone marrow monocytes, and on lung resident macrophages, the first species for this to be confirmed. However, monocytes isolated from blood and bone marrow lacked CSF1 expression. This species-specific mAb delivers the opportunity to further understanding of porcine myeloid cell biology. This is not only vital for the role of pigs as a model for human health, but also as a veterinary species of significant economic and agricultural importance.