CFU-GEMM

CFU-GEMM
Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are all derivatives of the CFU-GEMM cell.
Identifiers
Code	TH H2.00.04.3.02008
Anatomical terminology []

CFU-GEMM is a colony forming unit that generates myeloid cells. CFU-GEMM cells are the multipotential progenitor cells for myeloid cells; they are thus also called common myeloid progenitor cells or myeloid stem cells. "GEMM" stands for granulocyte, erythrocyte, monocyte, megakaryocyte.

The common myeloid progenitor (CMP) and the common lymphoid progenitor (CLP) are the first branch of cell differentiation in hematopoiesis after the hemocytoblast (hematopoietic stem cell).

In current terminology, CFU-S refers to the pluripotent stem cells that can differentiate into all types of blood cells. CFU-S divides into two lineages: the lymphoid precursor (CFU-LSC) and the myeloid precursor (CFU-GEMM). The CFU-GEMM cell is capable of differentiating into white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, all of which are normally found in circulating blood.

It has been suggested that eosinophils do not derive from the common myeloid progenitor in humans.

In the adjacent image, CFU-GEMM is the scientific name for the "common myeloid progenitor" that is responsible for forming all the cells of the myeloid lineages. As observed in the image, CFU-GEMM is capable of producing a diverse set of cells. It matures into the megakaryocyte, erythrocyte, mast cell or myeloblast based on the presence of specific factors that encourage the cell to choose a lineage to follow.

The differentiation and proliferation of CFU-GEMM are promoted by growth factors, such as interleukins and cytokines. IL-3 and GM-CSF as single factors are equally active in stimulating CFU-GEMM, but the combination of both factors produces additive stimulatory effects upon CFU-GEMM. The growth of CFU-GEMM is stimulated by the stem cell factor, or SCF. SCF has been found also to synergize with GM-CSF, IL-6, IL-3, IL-11 or erythropoietin to increase the numbers of CFU-GEMM.