The role of interleukin-9 in lymphoma

Abstract

Although much progress has been made in the treatment of lymphomas, the unclear molecular etiology limits its further development. Interleukin-9 (IL-9) was initially described as a growth factor secreted by activated helper T cells type 2 (Th2). Various observations have demonstrated its diverse actions in immune and inflammatory responses. In recent years, a resurgence of interest in IL-9 has been spurred by the expanded identification of its cellular sources and biological targets. Also, the determination of its growth-proliferative and anti-apoptotic activities on multiple transformed cells implies a potential role of this cytokine in tumorigenesis. In this article we review the biologic properties and signal transduction pathways of IL-9, and furthermore discuss its possible role in lymphomagenesis as well as its impact on non-malignant infiltrating cells which are characteristic of the tumor microenvironment.

Keywords::

• IL-9
• lymphoma
• mast cell
• T regulatory cell
• eosinophils
• macrophages

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by grants from the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, China (no. 2007C053 and no. ZR2009CM059) and the Project of Scientific and Technological Development of Shandong Province, China (no. 010GSF10250 and no. 2007GG10002008).

Potential conflict of interest

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