title: Scratching the (cell) surface: cytokine engineering for improved ligand/receptor trafficking dynamics.
abstract: Cytokines can be engineered for greater potency in stimulating cellular functions. An obvious test criterion for an improved cytokine is receptor-binding affinity, but this does not always correlate with improved biological response. By combining protein-engineering techniques with studies of receptor trafficking and signaling, it might be possible to identify the ligand receptor-binding properties that should be sought.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, USA. lauffen@mit.edu
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Lauffenburger
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Fallon
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Haugh
mesh_terms: D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D008024:Ligands; D011485:Protein Binding; D015202:Protein Engineering; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008024:Ligands; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor