Cytokine receptors of the lung

There has been a dramatic increase in studies on the potential role of cytokines in controlling the processes of inflammation, injury, and repair in the lung. A vast array or network has emerged including all of the cells that produce the various cytokines that have been identified and the target cells that respond to these mediators. The network continues to expand as new cytokines and cytokine receptors are identified. It is generally accepted that responses to cytokines are mediated through cell surface transmembrane receptors, so that key to unraveling this complex system is an understanding of what mechanisms control signal transduction via these receptors and how cytokine interaction with specific receptors results in cell- and cytokine-specific target cell responses. This review presents a detailed examination of individual receptor structures and how these data can lead to information about signaling mechanisms; the exciting new findings of naturally occurring receptor inhibitors; and how regulation of receptor levels might control target cell responses.