Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2025
16:27
Strategies for Study of Neuroprotection from Cold-preconditioning
Published on: September 2, 2010
14.9K
Strategies to therapeutically modulate cytokine action
Warren J Leonard1, Jian-Xin Lin2
1Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and the Immunology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA. wjl@helix.nih.gov.
Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery
|August 4, 2023
Summary
Cytokine engineering aims to safely modulate immune responses for treating diseases. Researchers are developing modified cytokines, like IL-2, to target specific cells for autoimmune or cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Cytokines are crucial signaling molecules regulating diverse cellular functions.
- Dysregulation of cytokine activity contributes to various physiological and pathological conditions.
- Targeted modulation of cytokine activity holds significant therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review engineering strategies for modulating cytokine activity.
- To highlight the therapeutic applications of engineered cytokines, particularly IL-2.
- To discuss advancements in developing novel cytokine-based therapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Engineering of cytokines and their receptors to alter activity.
- Modification of cytokine affinity for receptors.
- Strategies to prolong in vivo half-life and fine-tune cytokine actions.
Main Results:
- Development of engineered IL-2 variants with differential effects on regulatory vs. effector T cells.
- Application of engineering approaches to other cytokines like IL-10, interferons, and IL-1 family members.
- Demonstration of successful modulation of cytokine activity for therapeutic benefit.
Conclusions:
- Cytokine engineering is a rapidly advancing field with broad therapeutic implications.
- Engineered cytokines offer a promising avenue for treating autoimmune diseases, cancer, and viral infections.
- Continued innovation in cytokine modulation strategies is expected to yield improved treatments for numerous diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:20The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
9.0K
Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as SH2...
9.0K
01:28Inflammatory Response
2.1K
An inflammatory response is a localized, nonspecific immune reaction that occurs when a tissue is injured. It is characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain, which are commonly called the cardinal signs and symptoms of inflammation. Inflammation can sometimes result in a loss of function.
Inflammation can be triggered by various stimuli, such as impact, abrasion, chemical irritation, infections, and extreme hot or cold temperatures. These can damage cells and connective tissue fibers,...
Inflammation can be triggered by various stimuli, such as impact, abrasion, chemical irritation, infections, and extreme hot or cold temperatures. These can damage cells and connective tissue fibers,...
2.1K
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
557
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
557
01:15Receptor Downregulation in MVBs
2.1K
Multivesicular bodies (MVBs) are mature endosomes that sort ubiquitinated proteins and then fuse with lysosomes to degrade the sorted proteins. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) form a complex that can be internalized through endocytosis, sorted into an MVB, and later degraded.
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR...
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR...
2.1K
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
971
Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
971
01:24Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
173
Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes significantly to the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. It exists as soluble TNF and membrane-bound TNF, with actions mediated through TNF receptors (TNFR). TNFR activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, collagen production, and leukocyte migration, all contributing to inflammation in Crohn's disease. Anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, namely infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab...
173