Therapeutic targeting of Janus kinases.

ABSTRACT:

Summary

Cytokines play pivotal roles in immunity and inflammation, and targeting cytokines and their receptors is an effective means of treating such disorders. Type I and II cytokine receptors associate with Janus family kinases (JAKs) to effect intracellular signaling. These structurally unique protein kinases play essential and specific roles in immune cell development and function. One JAK, JAK3, has particularly selective functions. Mutations of this kinase underlie severe combined immunodeficiency, indicative of its critical role in the development and function of lymphocytes. Because JAK3 appears not to have functions outside of hematopoietic cells, this kinase has been viewed as an excellent therapeutic target for the development of a new class of immunosuppressive drugs. I

SUBMITTER: Pesu M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2634846 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature