title: Anti-inflammatory properties of pro-inflammatory interferon-gamma.
abstract: Production of interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) in response to infection is a hallmark of innate and adaptive immunity. In addition to the pivotal role of IFNgamma in host defense, its excessive release has been associated with the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. In fact, knockout models reveal that IFNgamma plays a key role in mediating a number of pathological processes related to chronic immune activation. On the other hand, evidence has been accumulated in recent years that supports the concept of a dual role of IFNgamma in inflammation. Here, we review anti-inflammatory aspects of IFNgamma in the regulatory network of cytokine biology. These include induction of anti-inflammatory molecules such as interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP), modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine production, activation of apoptosis, and interference with the signal transduction machinery by induction of suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS).
authors.affiliation: Pharmazentrum Frankfurt, University Hospital Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. H.Muehl@em.uni-frankfurt.de
authors.forename: Heiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mühl
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pfeilschifter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D020169:Caspases / Q000502:physiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000378:metabolism; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D000071222:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1 Protein; D000071223:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein; D050826:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D016207:Cytokines; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C108944:SOCS1 protein, human; C106644:SOCS3 protein, human; C491590:Socs1 protein, mouse; C491589:Socs1 protein, rat; C491411:Socs3 protein, mouse; C491410:Socs3 protein, rat; D000071222:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1 Protein; D000071223:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein; D050826:Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D020169:Caspases