title: Guarding the frontiers: the biology of type III interferons.
abstract: Type III interferons (IFNs) or IFN-λs regulate a similar set of genes as type I IFNs, but whereas type I IFNs act globally, IFN-λs primarily target mucosal epithelial cells and protect them against the frequent viral attacks that are typical for barrier tissues. IFN-λs thereby help to maintain healthy mucosal surfaces through immune protection, without the significant immune-related pathogenic risk associated with type I IFN responses. Type III IFNs also target the human liver, with dual effects: they induce an antiviral state in hepatocytes, but specific IFN-λ4 action impairs the clearance of hepatitis C virus and could influence inflammatory responses. This constitutes a paradox that has yet to be resolved.
authors.affiliation: Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wack
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Terczyńska-Dyla
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Rune
authors.identifier: 000000031159066X
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hartmann
mesh_terms: D002888:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D018448:Models, Immunological; D000095022:Interferon Lambda
chemical_list: D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins; C000624353:interferon-lambda, human; D000095022:Interferon Lambda; C579163:IFNL4 protein, human