Messing with betac: A unique receptor with many goals #MMPMID34836771
Kan WL; Cheung Tung Shing KS; Nero TL; Hercus TR; Tvorogov D; Parker MW; Lopez AF
Semin Immunol 2021[Apr]; 54 (ä): 101513 PMID34836771show ga
Our understanding of the biological role of the betac family of cytokines has evolved enormously since their initial identification as bone marrow colony stimulating factors in the 1960's. It has become abundantly clear over the intervening decades that this family of cytokines has truly astonishing pleiotropic capacity, capable of regulating not only hematopoiesis but also many other normal and pathological processes such as development, inflammation, allergy and cancer. As noted in the current pandemic, betac cytokines contribute to the cytokine storm seen in acutely ill COVID-19 patients. Ongoing studies to discover how these cytokines activate their receptor are revealing insights into the fundamental mechanisms that give rise to cytokine pleiotropy and are providing tantalizing glimpses of how discrete signaling pathways may be dissected for activation with novel ligands for therapeutic benefit.