Abstract
Initial studies on the biology of IL-27 provided evidence of a role for this cytokine in the initiation of Th1 responses; however, subsequent work using models of pathogen-induced and autoimmune inflammation have indicated that IL-27 has broad inhibitory effects on Th1, Th2 and Th17 subsets of T cells as well as the expansion of inducible regulatory T cells. While, the aim of this review is to highlight the functions of IL-27 in the context of inflammation it will also serve to elaborate on the molecular mechanisms involved in the production of this cytokine. The initial description of IL-27 indicated that classical antigen-presenting cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells produce IL-27, however, the agonists and signaling pathways involved in activating transcription of the two subunits of IL-27, p28 and EBV-induced gene 3 (EBI3) have only recently been described.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
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Bacterial Infections / immunology
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Bacterial Infections / metabolism
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
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Feedback, Physiological / immunology
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Humans
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Inflammation / immunology
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Inflammation / microbiology
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Interleukin-10 / metabolism
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Interleukin-17* / biosynthesis
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Interleukin-17* / immunology
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Interleukin-17* / metabolism
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Interleukins / biosynthesis
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Interleukins / immunology*
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Lymphocyte Activation
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MAP Kinase Signaling System / immunology
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Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
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Toll-Like Receptor 4 / immunology
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Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism
Substances
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EBI3 protein, human
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Interleukin-17
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Interleukins
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MYDGF protein, human
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Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
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Toll-Like Receptor 4
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Interleukin-10