title: Understanding the pro- and anti-inflammatory properties of IL-27.
abstract: The recent identification of IL-27 (IL-27p28/EBV-induced gene 3) and IL-27R (WSX-1/gp130) has provided new insights for the biology of IL-6/IL-12 family cytokines. Initial studies indicated that IL-27 can directly regulate T cell functions and suggested an important role for it in promoting Th1 type responses. However, subsequent studies have revealed that IL-27R signaling influences a variety of immune cell types and can inhibit either Th1 or Th2 type responses. Though elucidation of the Jak/STAT signaling pathways activated by IL-27R ligation has unveiled some of the molecular mechanisms used by IL-27 to promote inflammation, little is known about the anti-inflammatory activities of this cytokine. Thus, the aim of this review is to discuss the pleotropic nature of the IL-27/IL-27R interaction and attempt to reconcile the pro- and anti-inflammatory properties of this immunomodulator.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Alejandro V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Villarino
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine / Q000378:metabolism; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin
chemical_list: C112441:IL27RA protein, human; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D007378:Interleukins; C464565:MYDGF protein, human; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin