Interleukin-5 and Its Receptor System: From Genes to Disease (Molecular Biology Intelligence Unit)

A key question regarding the action of IL-5 in responsive cells has been the molecular mechanism of signal transduction cascade after IL-5 binding to the functional IL-5 receptor (IL-5R). In this volume the history of the initial discovery of the IL-5 activity that appeared to be involved in growth and differentiation of B cells and eosinophils is first briefly summarized, and the developments that lead to the molecular characterization of IL-5 are outlined. The author also describes recent advances of IL-5 and IL-5R research in the study of structure, physiologic functions and unique mode of receptor-mediated signaling. Finally, the roles of IL-5 in the pathophysiology of allergic diseases and immunodeficiency are summarized.