Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), a member of Syk family of non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases plays a significant role in the immune cell signaling in B cells, mast cells, macrophages and neutrophils. Anomalous regulation of this kinase can lead to different allergic disorders and antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, psoriasis and allergic rhinitis. Being involved in the growth and survive mechanism of B cells, its inhibition can be beneficial in B-cell lymphoma. Thus, Syk can be sited as a therapeutically relevant target for various allergic and autoimmune disorders. This review article describes the structure of Syk and its role in B-cell signaling. In addition to this, data regarding small molecule inhibitors of Syk has also been reviewed from different papers and patents published.
Keywords: Asthma; Autoimmune diseases; B-Cell lymphoma; Inflammation; Psoriasis; Spleen tyrosine kinase.
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