interleukin-3

Interleukin-3 (IL-3) is a cytokine and hematopoietic growth factor primarily secreted by activated T lymphocytes, mast cells, and osteoblastic cells. It regulates the production, proliferation, differentiation, and activation of hematopoietic progenitor cells into lineage-restricted blood cell types. IL-3 also stimulates mature basophils, eosinophils, and monocytes to become functionally activated. Mechanistically, IL-3 exerts its effects through a receptor composed of the IL3RA subunit and a signal-transducing subunit (IL3RB), leading to rapid activation of JAK2 kinase activity and STAT5-mediated transcriptional programs[1][5]. Clinically studied as recombinant human interleukin 3 for use in patients with bone marrow failure or after myelotoxic chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation to enhance platelet and neutrophil recovery[6][7][10]. It has also been investigated for its immunomodulatory roles in autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, diabetes (especially type 1), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as well as potential applications in cancer immunotherapy due to its ability to modulate cytotoxic T lymphocyte–basophil crosstalk[4][8].

Other names

Hematopoietic growth factorMultipotential colony-stimulating factor