title: IL-28A, IL-28B, and IL-29: promising cytokines with type I interferon-like properties.
abstract: IL-28A, IL-28B and IL-29 (also designated type III interferons) constitute a new subfamily within the IL-10-interferon family. They are produced by virtually any nucleated cell type, particularly dendritic cells, following viral infection or activation with bacterial components, and mediate their effects via the IL-28R1/IL-10R2 receptor complex. Although IL-28/IL-29 are closer to the IL-10-related cytokines in terms of gene structure, protein structure, and receptor usage, they display type I interferon-like anti-viral and cytostatic activities. Unlike type I interferons, the target cell populations of IL-28/IL-29 are restricted and mainly include epithelial cells and hepatocytes. These properties suggest that IL-28/IL-29 are potential therapeutic alternatives to type I interferons in terms of viral infections and tumors. This review describes the current knowledge about these cytokines.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Group of Molecular Immunopathology, Dermatology/Medical Immunology, University Hospital Charité, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Witte
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Witte
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sabat
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wolk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000502:physiology*; D007372:Interferons / Q000235:genetics; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism; D007378:Interleukins / Q000502:physiology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D000095022:Interferon Lambda
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D007370:Interferon Type I; D007372:Interferons; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007378:Interleukins; C000624353:interferon-lambda, human; D000095022:Interferon Lambda