The role of interleukin-3 and its receptor in acute leukemia pathogenesis

Abstract

Introduction.Interleukin-3 (IL-3) is the key cytokine involved in the regulation of normal haematopoiesis. Some leukemic cells demonstrate high expression of the α-subunit of the receptor for interleukin-3 (CD123).Aim:to summarize the current understanding of IL-3 and its receptor CD123 in the pathogenesis of acute leukemia.General fi ndings: IL-3 regulates the proliferation and differentiation of normal hematopoietic progenitor cells in the early stages of hematopoiesis. The IL-3 receptor (CD123) is expressed on normal hematopoietic cells. High expression of CD123 was confi rmed on blast cells of AML, B-ALL and on the leukemia-initiating CD34+ CD38– cells. IL-3 inhibits apoptosis and promotes the autonomous growth of blast cells. Currently, different approaches of blocking the IL-3 mediated signal are being investigated.