IL-27: a double agent in the IL-6 family.

Abstract

The cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 is a major therapeutic target for the treatment of various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. While IL-6 receives considerable attention in studies of innate and adaptive immunity, the IL-6-related family member IL-27 is recognized increasingly for its effects on cellular proliferation, differentiation and leucocyte effector functions. Both cytokines activate responses in myeloid and stromal tissue cells, where they direct the transition from innate to adaptive immunity. However, they are identified frequently as lymphokines that control responses in T cells and B cells. In this regard, IL-27 often opposes the action of IL-6. Here, we will review the role of IL-6 and IL-27 in inflammation, with a particular focus on inflammatory arthritis, and discuss their importance in the diagnosis, stratification and treatment of autoimmune disease.

• Authors: G W Jones, D G Hill, A Cardus, S A Jones
• Journal: Clinical and experimental immunology (Clin Exp Immunol) Vol. 193 Issue 1 Pg. 37-46 (07 2018) ISSN: 1365-2249 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 29437229 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: © 2018 British Society for Immunology.

Chemical References

• IL6 protein, human
• Interleukin-6
• Interleukins
• MYDGF protein, human

Topics

• Adaptive Immunity (immunology)
• Arthritis, Rheumatoid (drug therapy, genetics, immunology, pathology)
• Humans
• Immunity, Innate (immunology)
• Inflammation (immunology)
• Interleukin-6 (antagonists & inhibitors, genetics, immunology)
• Interleukins (antagonists & inhibitors, genetics, immunology)
• Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide (genetics)
• Signal Transduction (immunology)