ID: 202: IL-27 elicits responses similar to Interferon-gamma in non-hematopoietic cells

Interleukin-27 (IL-27) is a type-I-cytokine predominantly secreted by activated macrophages and dendritic cells. Best described are the effects of IL-27 on T-cells and on innate immune cells. Although IL-27 can have pro-inflammatory effects, many studies also suggest that IL-27 is immunosuppressive. IL-27 is composed of the two non-covalently linked subunits p28 and EBI3 (Epstein-Barr virus induced gene 3) and signals via the WSX-1 and gp130 cytokine receptors; it can be grouped into the IL-6/IL-12 superfamily of cytokines. We here report that a variety of non-hematopoietic cells respond to IL-27. When comparing signaling of IL-27 to the one of IL-6-type cytokines (STAT3-dominated) and Interferon-gamma (STAT1-dominated), we observe that IL-27 elicits responses similar to Interferon-gamma.