M-CSF exerts its effects by binding to its specific receptor, CSF1R, which is expressed on the surface of hematopoietic progenitor cells. This binding triggers the receptor's intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity, leading to the activation of multiple downstream signaling pathways, including the PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathways. These signaling pathways promote cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation into mature macrophages.
