Interleukin-19: multiple roles in immune regulation and disease.
First reported in 1999, IL-19 remains a mystery in many ways. Despite appearing in many genome scans and candidate gene studies, and having been searched for specifically as part of the IL-10 family, its function is still to be defined. Nonetheless, a pattern of Th2 promotion is coalescing from this nebulous body of work, supported by increasing evidence for a role in asthma. Similarly, a clear but less intuitive role as a subtle immunomodulator is emerging in psoriasis and chronic inflammatory disorders in general. Indeed, several human diseases and their animal models have highlighted a role for IL-19. Key questions remain, relating to the nature of its receptor, its function (if any) on leukocytes and how its effects are distinguished by the cell from those of IL-20 and IL-24. In this review, I shall attempt to bring together a summary of the known work - disparate as it may be - as well as presenting a picture of these two important clinical disorders and the potential involvement of this somewhat enigmatic cytokine.
Gallagher
Grant
G
Genetic Immunology Laboratory, HUMIGEN, The Institute for Genetic Immunology, 2439 Kuser Road, Hamilton, NJ 08690-3303, USA. G.Gallagher@humigen.org
D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000276:immunology*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
C421250:IL19 protein, human; D007378:Interleukins