Cytokine and growth factor receptors on immune and stromal cells

Cytokine and growth factor receptors on immune and stromal cells constitute a broad class of transmembrane proteins that serve as the primary sensors for extracellular signaling molecules, orchestrating the complex interplay between the immune system and structural tissues. This category encompasses several major families, including the Type I and II cytokine receptors, the Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) receptor superfamily, and Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) such as VEGFR and FGFR (Spangler et al., 2015, Science; Lemmon and Schlessinger, 2010, Cell). These receptors are pivotal in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival, as well as the recruitment and activation of leukocytes during inflammatory responses. In pathological states like autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, and cancer, dysregulated signaling through these receptors on both immune cells and the supporting stroma (e.g., cancer-associated fibroblasts) promotes disease persistence and progression (Buckley et al., 2015, Nature Reviews Immunology). Therapeutic strategies targeting these receptors are diverse, ranging from monoclonal antibodies that neutralize ligands or block receptor binding sites to small-molecule inhibitors targeting downstream intracellular kinases like JAK or PI3K (O'Shea et al., 2013, Nature Reviews Drug Discovery). While these therapies have revolutionized the treatment of inflammatory diseases and oncology, they often require careful monitoring for adverse effects such as systemic immunosuppression and impaired tissue repair.

Other names

Cytokine receptorsGrowth factor receptorsImmune-stromal signaling receptorsCell surface signaling receptors

Drugs targeting these receptors typically act as competitive antagonists, neutralizing antibodies that prevent ligand binding, or small molecules that inhibit the intracellular kinase domains (e.g., JAK inhibitors or Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors) to block downstream signaling cascades.