IL-27, a heterodimeric cytokine composed of EBI3 and p28 protein, induces proliferation of naive CD4+ T cells

Immunity. 2002 Jun;16(6):779-90. doi: 10.1016/s1074-7613(02)00324-2.

Abstract

An efficient Th1-driven adaptive immune response requires activation of the T cell receptor and secretion of the T cell stimulatory cytokine IL-12 by activated antigen-presenting cells. IL-12 triggers Th1 polarization of naive CD4(+) T cells and secretion of IFN-gamma. We describe a new heterodimeric cytokine termed IL-27 that consists of EBI3, an IL-12p40-related protein, and p28, a newly discovered IL-12p35-related polypeptide. IL-27 is an early product of activated antigen-presenting cells and drives rapid clonal expansion of naive but not memory CD4(+) T cells. It also strongly synergizes with IL-12 to trigger IFN-gamma production of naive CD4(+) T cells. IL-27 mediates its biologic effects through the orphan cytokine receptor WSX-1/TCCR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / physiology*
  • Carrier Proteins / analysis*
  • Cell Division
  • Dimerization
  • Glutathione Transferase*
  • Glycoproteins / analysis*
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-12 / physiology
  • Interleukins / chemistry
  • Interleukins / physiology*
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Protein Conformation
  • Receptors, Cytokine / metabolism
  • Receptors, Interleukin
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Th1 Cells / immunology*

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • EBI3 protein, human
  • Glycoproteins
  • Gsto1 protein, mouse
  • Il27 protein, mouse
  • Il27ra protein, mouse
  • Interleukins
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Receptors, Cytokine
  • Receptors, Interleukin
  • Interleukin-12
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Glutathione Transferase