title: IL-27-induced modulation of autoimmunity and its therapeutic potential.
abstract: Interleukin-27 (IL-27) is a new member of the IL-12 family. It is produced by activated antigen-presenting cells and plays an important role in the regulation of CD4+ T cell differentiation and immune response. IL-27 activates multiple signaling cascades, including the JAK-STAT and p38 MAPK pathways. Several studies have revealed that IL-27 promotes the differentiation of Th1 and Tr1, but inhibits Th2, Th17, and Treg cells. However, a few studies have shown an opposite effect on certain T cell subsets, such as Treg. IL-27 displays both pro- and anti- inflammatory activities in different autoimmune diseases. Here, we have discussed the role of IL-27 in rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, colitis, lupus, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes, and uveitis. Most of this information is derived from experimental models of these autoimmune diseases. The mechanistic basis of the dual role of IL-27 in inflammation and autoimmunity is still not fully defined. In general, the pro-/anti-inflammatory activity of IL-27 is influenced by the underlying immune effector pathways, the phase of the disease, the presence or absence of counter-regulatory cytokines/T cell subsets, and the tissue/cell type under study. Despite a spectrum of outcomes in various autoimmune diseases, mostly anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of IL-27 have been observed in this category of diseases. Accordingly, IL-27 represents a novel, promising target/agent for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 W. Baltimore Street, HSF-1, Suite 380, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
authors.forename: Rakeshchandra R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Meka
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 W. Baltimore Street, HSF-1, Suite 380, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
authors.forename: Shivaprasad H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Venkatesha
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 W. Baltimore Street, HSF-1, Suite 380, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dudics
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 W. Baltimore Street, HSF-1, Suite 380, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
authors.forename: Bodhraj
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Acharya
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 W. Baltimore Street, HSF-1, Suite 380, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.|Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
authors.forename: Kamal D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Moudgil
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D015551:Autoimmunity; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D064094:Interleukin-27 / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation
chemical_list: D064094:Interleukin-27
keywords: Arthritis; Autoimmunity; CD4(+) T cell differentiation; Colitis; Diabetes; Interleukin-27; Lupus; Multiple sclerosis; Psoriasis; Uveitis