%0 Journal Article
%T Potential role of interferon-lambda in the treatment of inflammation and cancer: an update
%A Dornhoff H
%A Siebler J
%A Neurath MF
%J International Journal of Interferon, Cytokine and Mediator Research
%D 2011
%I Dove Medical Press
%X Heike Dornhoff, J¨¹rgen Siebler, Markus F NeurathDepartment of Medicine, University of Nuremberg-Erlangen, Erlangen, GermanyAbstract: The interferon (IFN) family comprises various cytokines with potent responses against RNA and DNA viruses as well as antitumor activities. A recently identified interferon subgroup consists of the so-called lambda interferons with several members, including IFN-¦Ë1, IFN-¦Ë2, and IFN-¦Ë3 (also denoted interleukin [IL]-29, IL28-A, and IL28-B). They represent a newly identified group of the class II cytokine family. While they are functionally related to type I IFNs, they are structurally related to the IL-10 cytokine family. The lambda IFNs signal through a cytokine receptor complex which is unique for IL-28 and IL-29, designated IL-28R¦Á, and a second chain, the IL-10R2, which is shared with receptors for IL-10 related cytokines such as IL-22 and IL-10. In this review, we summarize recent findings about the relationship between type I and type III IFN signaling as well as their antiviral and antitumor activity. A better understanding of the functional role of IFN-¦Ë in viral infections and immune responses in innate and adaptive immunity opens new therapeutical approaches for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer.Keywords: interferon, interleukin-28, cancer, viral infections, antiviral, antitumor, immunity
%U http://www.dovepress.com/potential-role-of-interferon-lambda-in-the-treatment-of-inflammation-a-a7782