Abstract
Cytokines play a critical role in modulating the innate and adaptive immune systems. Here, we have identified from the human genomic sequence a family of three cytokines, designated interleukin 28A (IL-28A), IL-28B and IL-29, that are distantly related to type I interferons (IFNs) and the IL-10 family. We found that like type I IFNs, IL-28 and IL-29 were induced by viral infection and showed antiviral activity. However, IL-28 and IL-29 interacted with a heterodimeric class II cytokine receptor that consisted of IL-10 receptor beta (IL-10Rbeta) and an orphan class II receptor chain, designated IL-28Ralpha. This newly described cytokine family may serve as an alternative to type I IFNs in providing immunity to viral infection.
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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COS Cells
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Cloning, Molecular
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Cytokines
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Gene Expression
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Humans
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In Vitro Techniques
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Interferons
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Interleukins / genetics*
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Interleukins / metabolism*
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Protein Subunits
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RNA / genetics
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RNA / metabolism
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Receptors, Cytokine / chemistry
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Receptors, Cytokine / genetics*
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Receptors, Cytokine / metabolism*
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Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
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Recombinant Proteins / genetics
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Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
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Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
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Signal Transduction
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Virus Diseases / immunology
Substances
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Cytokines
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interferon-lambda, human
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Interleukins
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Protein Subunits
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Receptors, Cytokine
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Recombinant Proteins
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interleukin 28alpha receptor
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RNA
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Interferons
Associated data
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GENBANK/AY129148
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GENBANK/AY129149
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GENBANK/AY129150
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GENBANK/AY129151
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GENBANK/AY129152
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GENBANK/AY129153
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PDB/1INR
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PDB/1RH2