The beta common chain (beta c) of the granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, interleukin-3 and iaterleukin-5 receptors

The hematopoietic cytokines granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating facto r (GM-CSF), Interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-3 utilise a common receptor signallin g molecule, the beta common chain (beta c). This shared receptor component explains, in part the overlapping actions of these cytokines. Mice lacking beta c have a low circulating eosinophil level, have impaired eosinophilic responses to parasitic infection and develop lung disease analagous to huma n pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP). Surprisingly however, mature hemato poietic cell function is relatively intact, although all GM-CSF-mediated ma ture cell responses, including glucose transport are absent. Intriguing obs ervations suggesting altered susceptibility to some infectious agents and a melioration of responses to inflammatory stimuli, require further clarifica tion. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.