Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), also known as colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1), is a secreted cytokine released by osteoblasts. It is a hematopoietic growth factor that is involved in the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of monocytes, macrophages, and bone marrow progenitor cells. Locally produced M-CSF in the vessel wall contributes to the development and progression of atherosclerosis. M-CSF has been described to play a role in renal pathology including Acute kidney injury (AKI) and Chronic Renal Failure (CRF). The chronic activation of monocytes can lead to multiple metabolic, hematologic and immunologic abnormalities in patients with CRF. In the context of AKI, M-CSF has been implicated in promoting repair following AKI, but also been described in an opposing role, driving proliferation of a pro-inflammatory macrophage phenotype.