Placental granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) production affects umbilical cord blood cells (UCBC).

G-CSF produced in the placenta may affect both fetal HSC and dendritic cells. Placental G-CSF may induce mobilization of the fetal HSC, resulting in significant numbers of circulating HSC among UCBC, which declines rapidly after delivery. G-CSF may also suppress the immunological potency of fetal dendritic cells by interfering with IL-12 production and co-stimulatory activity. As a result, the immune responsiveness of fetal T lymphocytes is attenuated and skewed away from Th1 responses.