Cytokine-binding proteins in the lung.
Bonner, James C., and Arnold R. Brody.
Laboratory of Pulmonary Pathobiology, National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
27709, Lung Biology Program, Department of Pathology, Tulane
University Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
APStracts 2:0034L, 1995.
Numerous cytokines and growth factors signal the normal processes of
tissue maintenance and remodeling in the lung, yet the abberant
expression of these peptide mediators are involved in a variety of
pulmonary diseases. Furthermore, several different binding proteins
function in controlling the extracellular levels of many of these
cytokines in the lung. For example, a variety of cytokines and growth
factors bind to and are regulated by the ubiquitous proteinase
inhibitor, [alpha]2-macroglobulin. The insulin-like growth factors
are controlled by a specific class of six different insulin-like
growth factor binding proteins. The transforming growth factor-[beta]
family and fibroblast growth factors interact with extracellular
matrix proteins. Several growth factor receptors are shed into the
extracellular milleau where they retain a functional binding domain
and thereby act as specific binding proteins. Cytokine-binding
proteins appear to have a diversity of functions and may serve as
extracellular cytokine reservoirs, protective shields against
proteolytic degradation of cytokines, modifiers of cytokine-induced
biological activity, or as clearance avenues for cytokines. The wide
spectrum of cytokine-regulating molecules are important in cell-cell
communications under normal conditions, whereas cytokine-binding
protein dysfunction could contribute to a number of pulmonary
diseases.
Received 3 March 1995; accepted in final form 4 March 1995.
APS Manuscript Number L73-5.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Lung Cell. Mol.
Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1995 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 10 March 1995.