Role of the IL-2 inducible tyrosine kinase ITK and its inhibitors in disease pathogenesis

Lechner KS, Neurath M, Weigmann B (2020)


Publication Type: Journal article, Review article

Publication year: 2020

Journal

DOI: 10.1007/s00109-020-01958-z

Abstract

ITK (IL-2-inducible tyrosine kinase) belongs to the Tec family kinases and is mainly expressed in T cells. It is involved in TCR signalling events driving processes like T cell development as well as Th2, Th9 and Th17 responses thereby controlling the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Studies have shown that ITK is involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases as well as in carcinogenesis. The loss of ITK or its activity either by mutation or by the use of inhibitors led to a beneficial outcome in experimental models of asthma, inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis among others. In humans, biallelic mutations in the ITK gene locus result in a monogenetic disorder leading to T cell dysfunction; in consequence, mainly EBV infections can lead to severe immune dysregulation evident by lymphoproliferation, lymphoma and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Furthermore, patients who suffer from angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma have been found to express significantly more ITK. These findings put ITK in the strong focus as a target for drug development.

Authors with CRIS profile

How to cite

APA:

Lechner, K.S., Neurath, M., & Weigmann, B. (2020). Role of the IL-2 inducible tyrosine kinase ITK and its inhibitors in disease pathogenesis. Journal of Molecular Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-020-01958-z

MLA:

Lechner, Kristina S., Markus Neurath, and Benno Weigmann. "Role of the IL-2 inducible tyrosine kinase ITK and its inhibitors in disease pathogenesis." Journal of Molecular Medicine (2020).

BibTeX: Download