Signalling by the βc family of cytokines

The GM-CSF, IL-3 and IL-5 family of cytokines, also known as the beta c family due to their receptors sharing the signalling subunit beta c, regulates multiple biological processes such as native and adaptive immunity, inflammation, normal and malignant hemopoieis, and autoimmunity. Australian scientists played a major role in the discovery and biological characterisation of the beta c cytokines and their recent work is revealing unique features of cytokine receptor assembly and signalling. Furthermore, specific antibodies have been generated to modulate their function. Characterisation of the structural and dynamic requirements for the activation of the beta c receptor family and the molecular definition of downstream signalling pathways are providing new insights into cytokine receptor signalling as well as new therapeutic opportunities. Crown Copyright (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.