title: Biology of recently discovered cytokines: discerning the pro- and anti-inflammatory properties of interleukin-27.
abstract: IL-27 is a recently identified heterodimeric cytokine produced in response to microbial and host derived inflammatory cues. Initial studies indicated that IL-27 promotes the generation of Th1 responses required for resistance to intracellular infection and unveiled the molecular mechanisms mediating this effect. However, subsequent work uncovered a role for IL-27 in the suppression of Th1 and Th2 responses. Thus, by discussing its pleotropic functions in the context of infection-induced immunity and by drawing parallels to fellow IL-6/IL-12 family cytokines, this review will attempt to reconcile the pro- and anti-inflammatory effects of IL-27.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Alejandro V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Villarino
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D007378:Interleukins / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007378:Interleukins; C464565:MYDGF protein, human