GM-CSF Receptor alpha Protein

Background

Colony stimulating factor 2 receptor subunit alpha (CSF2RA) is a protein that serves as part of the receptor complex for granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), a cytokine critical for the growth, differentiation, and function of granulocytes and macrophages. This receptor subunit is primarily expressed on the surface of myeloid lineage cells, including neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages, as well as on some non-hematopoietic tissues. CSF2RA forms a heterodimer with the common beta chain (CSF2RB) to mediate the signaling of GM-CSF, which activates pathways such as JAK/STAT, MAPK, and PI3K, driving cell proliferation, survival, and activation. Dysregulation of CSF2RA signaling has been associated with conditions like inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and asthma, as well as hematological malignancies such as leukemia. Mutations or deletions in the CSF2RA gene can impair immune responses and are linked to congenital disorders like surfactant metabolism dysfunction in the lung. Given its role in immune modulation, CSF2RA is being explored as a therapeutic target in cancer immunotherapy and inflammatory conditions, aiming to modulate the activity of GM-CSF and its downstream effects. Understanding its molecular mechanisms continues to provide insights into immune regulation and potential clinical interventions.