The common β chain signaling cytokines granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-3, and IL-5 regulate the growth, differentiation, and activities of eosinophils and other hematopoietic cells. Therapeutic strategies manipulating these cytokines are approved for use in many cancers as well as allergic and autoimmune diseases, while others show promising early clinical activity. Cytokine heterodimeric receptors usually comprise 2 or 3 subunits: a major ligand-binding subunit (the α subunit) and a signaling subunit (the β or γ subunit). This is exemplified by the common β-chain (CD131/ βc) of GM-CSF, IL-3, and IL-5 receptors; the gp130 (shared by the receptors for IL-6, IL-11), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), ciliary neurotrophic factor ( CNTF), oncostatin M (OSM), and cardiotrophin; and the common IL-2 receptor γ-chain (shared by the IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15 receptors). Sino Biological has developed a panel of bioreagents to support the research of β common chain cytokines and other important cytokines and receptors. |