title: Molecular pathways in the induction of interleukin-27-driven regulatory type 1 cells.
abstract: Type 1 regulatory (Tr1) cells have emerged as key players in the prevention of autoimmunity. They produce high levels of the immunosuppressive cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 and confer protection against a wide panel of autoimmune diseases. However, the molecular pathways leading to their generation have long remained elusive. We have recently identified IL-27, a member of the IL-12 cytokine family, as a novel cytokine that induces Tr1 cells. Further analysis of IL-27-driven Tr1 cells have identified a critical role of the transcription factor avian musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma v-maf and of IL-21 in the generation of IL-27-induced Tr1 cells. Importantly, IL-27 also induces Tr1 cells in humans, suggesting that IL-27 administration may dampen tissue inflammation in humans as well. Here, we review the role of IL-27 in the generation of Tr1 cells and discuss its potential to alleviate autoimmune diseases.
authors.affiliation: Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pot
authors.forename: Lionel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Apetoh
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Awasthi
authors.forename: Vijay K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Kuchroo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007378:Interleukins / Q000276:immunology*; D051256:Oncogene Protein v-maf / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000098546:Interleukin-21
chemical_list: D007378:Interleukins; C464565:MYDGF protein, human; D051256:Oncogene Protein v-maf; D016753:Interleukin-10; D000098546:Interleukin-21