Background
Interleukin 3 is a pleiotropic factor produced primarily by activated T cells that can stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells as well as various lineage committed progenitors. In addition, IL-3 also affects the functional activity of mature mast cells, basophils, eosinophils and macrophages.Because of its multiple functions and targets, it was originally studied under different names, including mast cell growth factor P-cell stimulating factor, burst promoting activity, multi-colony stimulating factor, thy-1 inducing factor and WEHI-3 growth factor. In addition to activated T cells, other cell types such as human thymic epithelial cells, activated mouse mast cells, mouse keratinocytes and neurons/astrocytes can also produce IL-3. IL-3 exerts its biological activities through binding to specific cell surface receptors. The high affinity receptor responsible for IL-3. signaling is composed of α and βsubunits. IL-3 is capable of supporting the proliferation of abroad range of hematopoietic cell types. It is involved in avariety of cell activities such as cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. IL-3 has been shown to also possess neurotrophic activity, and it may be associated with neurologic disorders.
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