Interleukin-3

Interleukin 3 (IL-3) is produced mainly by T-cells following cell activation by antigens and mitogens, but also by keratinocytes, NK-cells, mast cells, endothelial cells, and monocytes. IL-3 is one of the priming factors for hematopoietic stem cells in vitro and in vivo that makes the cells responsive to later-acting factors such as Epo, GM-CSF and IL-6. IL-3 also induces increased expression of receptors for colony stimulating factors. At pico- to nanomolar concentrations, IL-3 is a chemoattractant for eosinophils and also influences the chemotactic behavior of these cells in response to other chemotactically active factors. IL-3 induces the proliferation of mast cells and macrophages and causes the synthesis of histamines by mast cells and phagocytosis in macrophages.

Swiss-Prot Accession Number: P08700