IL-3 receptor expression, regulation and function in cells of the vasculature

IL-3 is a haemopoietic growth factor which stimulates the production and functional activity of various blood cell types. Recent evidence suggests that the target cell population of IL-3 is not restricted to haemopoietic cells as previously thought, but vascular cells such as endothelial cells also express receptors for and respond to this cytokine. Interestingly, IL-3 was found to regulate endothelial responses related to inflammation, immunity and haemopoiesis. These findings, summarized in this review, offer new insight into the physiological function of IL-3 and may also be of clinical importance, as IL-3 is used in bone marrow reconstitution following cancer therapy.