Human Interleukin 3 Receptor alpha (IL3RA) Protein

Background

IL3RA, also known as CD123, encodes the alpha subunit of the interleukin-3 (IL-3) receptor, an essential receptor in hematopoiesis and immune cell regulation. IL3RA pairs with the common beta subunit (CSF2RB or IL3RB) to form the functional receptor complex for IL-3, a cytokine primarily involved in the growth, differentiation, and survival of various blood cell lineages. The IL-3 receptor is primarily expressed on hematopoietic progenitor cells and is particularly prominent on cells within the myeloid lineage, including basophils, eosinophils, and certain dendritic cells. IL3RA’s role in hematopoiesis is critical as it contributes to regulating immune responses by driving differentiation and survival of blood cell progenitors. The receptor is also crucial in mobilizing immune cells, promoting proliferation and enhancing responses to infection. IL3RA’s clinical significance has grown in recent years, with elevated expression observed in leukemias, particularly in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN). Its surface expression profile has made IL3RA an important therapeutic target, especially in cancers where IL3RA-positive cells drive disease progression.