title: IL-33: a Janus cytokine.
abstract: Interleukin (IL) 33, a member of the IL-1 family, is the ligand of ST2 that is expressed mainly on activated Th2 cells and mast cells. IL-33 can skew a predominantly Th1 cell population to a mainly Th2 cells phenotype in vivo. IL-33 messenger RNA is expressed early during infection of the intestinal-dwelling nematode Trichuris muris in mice. IL-33 treatment enhances resistance to Trichuris infection. IL-33 also effectively attenuates sepsis by mobilising the innate cells, neutrophils, to the site of infection, helping to clear the pathogens. Thus, IL-33 may be evolutionally preserved for the host defence against infections. IL-33 can reduce an ongoing atherosclerosis in ApoE(-/-) mice and attenuate adipocytes mainly by inducing the production of type II cytokines. In contrast, IL-33 can also exacerbate allergy and the inflammation in collagen-induced or serum-induced arthritis. Hence, IL-33 is a double-edged sword, and targeting IL-33 should be approached with caution.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, 120, University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, UK. foo.liew@glasgow.ac.uk
authors.forename: F Y
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Liew
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D000067596:Interleukin-33; D007378:Interleukins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D051379:Mice; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018805:Sepsis / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014257:Trichuriasis / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: C506536:IL33 protein, human; C506535:Il33 protein, mouse; D000067596:Interleukin-33; D007378:Interleukins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins