IL-27

Interleukin-27 (IL-27) is a heterodimeric cytokine belonging to the IL-12 family that is composed of two subunits, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced gene 3 (EBI3) (also known as IL-27B) and IL27-p28 (known as IL-30). IL-27 is produced by antigen-presenting cells. IL-27 plays an important function in regulating the activity of B and T lymphocytes. The effects of IL-27 are eliciting by its interaction with a specific cell surface receptor complex composed of two proteins known as IL27R and gp130. IL-27 is a cytokine with pro- and anti-inflammatory properties, that can regulate T helper cell development, suppress T-cell proliferation, stimulate cytotoxic T cell activity, induce isotype switching in B-cells, and that has diverse effects on innate immune cells. Among its target cells are CD4 T helper cells which can differentiate in type 1 effector cells (TH1), type 2 effector cells (TH2) and IL17 producing helper T-cells (TH17). It drives rapid clonal expansion of naive but not memory CD4 T-cells. IL-27 reveals to be a potent inhibitor of TH17 cell development and of IL-17 production. IL-27 also antagonizes the effects of some cytokines such as IL6 through direct effects on T cells. Another important role of IL-27 is its antitumor activity and antiangiogenic activity.