Advances in understanding the anti-inflammatory properties of IL-27.
Initial studies on the biology of IL-27 provided evidence of a role for this cytokine in the initiation of Th1 responses; however, subsequent work using models of pathogen-induced and autoimmune inflammation have indicated that IL-27 has broad inhibitory effects on Th1, Th2 and Th17 subsets of T cells as well as the expansion of inducible regulatory T cells. While, the aim of this review is to highlight the functions of IL-27 in the context of inflammation it will also serve to elaborate on the molecular mechanisms involved in the production of this cytokine. The initial description of IL-27 indicated that classical antigen-presenting cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells produce IL-27, however, the agonists and signaling pathways involved in activating transcription of the two subunits of IL-27, p28 and EBV-induced gene 3 (EBI3) have only recently been described.
Stumhofer
J S
JS
University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Room 313, Hill Pavilion, 380 South University Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4539, United States.
Hunter
C A
CA
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D025461:Feedback, Physiological / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007378:Interleukins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000276:immunology; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
C097732:EBI3 protein, human; D020381:Interleukin-17; D007378:Interleukins; C464565:MYDGF protein, human; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D016753:Interleukin-10