Flt3 ligand: role in control of hematopoietic and immune functions of the bone marrow.

Abstract

The concerted action of cytokines secreted locally in the bone marrow controls the maintenance, expansion, and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), whereas aberrant cytokine signaling contributes to leukemic transformation. Potent effects of flt3 ligand on HSCs and the development of the immune system have generated much interest in the clinical application of this cytokine in stem cell transplantation and cancer immunotherapy.