title: Flt3 ligand (FL) and its influence on immune reactivity.
abstract: Flt3 (fms-like tyrosine kinase 3) ligand (FL) is a potent hematopoietic cytokine that affects the growth and differentiation of progenitor and stem cells both in vivo and in vitro. Its capacity to augment strikingly the numbers of dendritic cells (rare antigen-presenting cells that induce and regulate immune responses) in mice and humans has stimulated considerable interest in its value as an investigational tool and therapeutic agent. In this review, we survey the hematopoietic properties and immunobiology of FL, and examine its therapeutic potential.
authors.affiliation: Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute and Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Antonysamy
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Thomson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D002678:Chimera / Q000276:immunology; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014181:Transplantation Immunology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D051941:fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; C084881:flt3 ligand protein; C497970:FLT3 protein, human; C497971:Flt3 protein, mouse; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D051941:fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3