Interferon-λs: Special Immunomodulatory Agents and Potential Therapeutic Targets

• Published in: Journal of innate immunity Vol. 5; no. 3; pp. 209 - 218
• Main Authors: Zheng, Ya-wen, Li, Hui, Yu, Jin-pu, Zhao, Hua, Wang, Shizhen Emily, Ren, Xiu-bao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland S. Karger AG 01.01.2013
• Subjects: Animals; Asthma - drug therapy; Asthma - immunology; Dendritic Cells - immunology; Humans; Immunologic Factors - immunology; Immunologic Factors - therapeutic use; Interferons; Interleukins - immunology; Interleukins - therapeutic use; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - drug therapy; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - immunology; Review; Th2 Cells - immunology; Allergy; Immunomodulation; Interferon-λ; Asthma; Cancer
• ISSN: 1662-811X; 1662-8128
• DOI: 10.1159/000345365

Interferon (IFN)-λs are a new addition to the old IFN family and share many similarities, such as antiviral and antiproliferative characteristics, with type I IFNs. IFN-λs also exhibit unique characteristics in immunomodulation. Accumulating studies have indicated the interactions between IFN-λs and immune cells, which lead to the regulation of the latter. IFN-λs can influence dendritic cells (DCs) and their product, IFN-λs-DCs, can then regulate the function of T cells. On the other hand, IFN-λs can also directly affect T cells through inhibition of the T helper 2 cell (Th2) responses. IFN-λs have varying immunomodulatory functions under different physiological conditions or in different organs and can inhibit tumor growth via regulation of the immune system. Diseases associated with IFN-λs include asthma, allergy, and systemic lupus erythematosus. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the biology of IFN-λs and their immunomodulatory function in relevant human diseases.