IL-28A, IL-28B, and IL-29: Promising cytokines with type I interferon-like properties

Witte, Katrin; Witte, Ellen; Sabat, Robert; Wolk, Kerstin

doi:10.1016/j.cytogfr.2010.04.002

« Previous Next »Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews
Volume 21, Issue 4 , Pages 237-251, August 2010

IL-28A, IL-28B, and IL-29: Promising cytokines with type I interferon-like properties

Katrin Witte
- Interdisciplinary Group of Molecular Immunopathology, Dermatology/Medical Immunology, University Hospital Charité, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Psoriasis Research and Treatment Center, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Charité, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Ellen Witte
- Interdisciplinary Group of Molecular Immunopathology, Dermatology/Medical Immunology, University Hospital Charité, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Psoriasis Research and Treatment Center, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Charité, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Robert Sabat
- Interdisciplinary Group of Molecular Immunopathology, Dermatology/Medical Immunology, University Hospital Charité, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Psoriasis Research and Treatment Center, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Charité, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Research Center Immunosciences, University Hospital Charité, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- These authors contributed equally to this work.
- Corresponding authors at: Interdisciplinary Group of Molecular Immunopathology, Dermatology/Medical Immunology, University Hospital Charité, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
Kerstin Wolk
- Interdisciplinary Group of Molecular Immunopathology, Dermatology/Medical Immunology, University Hospital Charité, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Psoriasis Research and Treatment Center, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Charité, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Research Center Immunosciences, University Hospital Charité, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- These authors contributed equally to this work.
- Corresponding authors at: Interdisciplinary Group of Molecular Immunopathology, Dermatology/Medical Immunology, University Hospital Charité, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.

published online 26 July 2010.

Abstract

IL-28A, IL-28B and IL-29 (also designated type III interferons) constitute a new subfamily within the IL-10–interferon family. They are produced by virtually any nucleated cell type, particularly dendritic cells, following viral infection or activation with bacterial components, and mediate their effects via the IL-28R1/IL-10R2 receptor complex. Although IL-28/IL-29 are closer to the IL-10-related cytokines in terms of gene structure, protein structure, and receptor usage, they display type I interferon-like anti-viral and cytostatic activities. Unlike type I interferons, the target cell populations of IL-28/IL-29 are restricted and mainly include epithelial cells and hepatocytes. These properties suggest that IL-28/IL-29 are potential therapeutic alternatives to type I interferons in terms of viral infections and tumors. This review describes the current knowledge about these cytokines.

Keywords: Interferon-lambda, Soluble receptor, cancer, Cytokine receptor family class 2, Therapy