LECTIN ACTIVITIES OF CYTOKINES AND GROWTH-FACTORS - FUNCTION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PATHOLOGY

The discovery that certain cytokines have carbohydrate-binding (lectin ) properties opens new concepts in the understanding of their mechanis m of action. The carbohydrate-recognition domain, which is localized o pposite to the receptor-binding domain, makes these molecules bi-funct ional. The expression of the biological activity of the cytokine relie s on its carbohydrate-binding activity which allows the association of the cytokine receptor with molecular complexes comprising the specifi c kinase involved in receptor phosphorylation and in specific signal t ransduction. It is expected that blood accumulation of free or membran e-bound glycan ligands of cytokines may dramatically perturb their end ogenous function inducing specific immunodeficiencies.