Open AccessRole of IL-9 and STATs in hematological malignancies (Review)
Author(s) -
Na Chen,
Xin Wang
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
oncology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.766
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1792-1082
pISSN - 1792-1074
DOI - 10.3892/ol.2013.1761
Subject(s) - stat protein , stat , janus kinase , cytokine , biology , signal transduction , oncogene , immune system , cancer research , interleukin 6 , transcription factor , janus kinase 2 , immunology , cell cycle , microbiology and biotechnology , stat3 , cancer , gene , genetics
Although interleukin-9 (IL-9) exhibits pleiotropic functions in the immune system, it remains a well-known cytokine in hematological malignancies. Previous cell culture and animal model studies have revealed that the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathway, which may be activated by a number of cytokines including IL-9, is critical in hematological malignancies. The current review summarizes the characterization of the biological activities of IL-9, highlights the clearly defined roles of the cytokine, and outlines questions with regard to the functions of IL-9 that require further exploration and their downstream signaling proteins, signal transducers and activators of transcription.