Interleukin-26: an IL-10-related cytokine produced by Th17 cells.
IL-26 is classified as a member of the IL-10 cytokine family because it has limited sequence homology to IL-10 and the IL-10-related cytokines. The human IL-26 gene, IL26, is located on chromosome 12q15 between the genes for two other important class-2 cytokines, IFNG (IFN-γ) and IL22 (IL-22). IL-26 is often co-expressed with IL-22 by activated T cells, especially Th17 cells. It signals through a heterodimeric receptor complex composed of the IL-20R1 and IL-10R2 chains. IL-26 receptors are primarily expressed on non-hematopoietic cell types, particularly epithelial cells. Signaling through IL-26 receptor complexes results in the activation of STAT1 and STAT3 with subsequent induction of IL-26-responsive genes. The biological functions of IL-26 have only begun to be defined.
Division of Therapeutic Proteins, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. Raymond.Donnelly@fda.hhs.gov
Raymond P
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Donnelly
Faruk
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Sheikh
Harold
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Dickensheets
Ram
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Savan
Howard A
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Young
Mark R
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Walter
D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D007378:Interleukins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
C406767:IL26 protein, human; D007378:Interleukins; D016753:Interleukin-10