Description
FLT3LG, also known as flt3 ligand, is a small molecule that acts as a growth factor that increases the number of immune cells by activating the hematopoietic progenitors .FLT3LG is expressed as a noncovalently-linked dimer by T cells and bone marrow and thymic fibroblasts. Alternate splicing of human FLT3LG also generates membrane-associated isoforms that contain either a truncated cytoplasmic tail or an 85 aa substitution following the cytokine domain. Both transmembrane and soluble FLT3LG signal through the tyrosine kinase receptor Flt-3/Flk-2. FLT3LG induces the expansion of monocytes and immature dendritic cells as well as early B cell lineage differentiation. It synergizes with IL-3, GM-CSF, and SCF to promote the mobilization and myeloid differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells. It cooperates with IL-2, -6, -7, and -15 to induce NK cell development and with IL-3, -7, and -11 to induce terminal B cell maturation.