IL-10 subfamily members: IL-19, IL-20, IL-22, IL-24 and IL-26

It has been reported that the CD4+ T cell is a very important source of interleukin 10 (IL-10), while CD8+ cells produce low amounts. IL-10 exerts several immune stimulating, as well as inhibitory effects. There are at least five novel human IL-10 family-related molecules: IL-19, IL-20, IL-22, IL-24, and IL-26. Activated T cells produce IL-19, IL-22 and IL-26, while IL-24 is produced by activated monocytes and T-cells. IL-20 induces cheratin proliferation and Stat-3 signal transduction pathway, while IL-22 induces acute-phase production by hepatocytes and neonatal lethality with skin abnormalities reminiscent of psoriasic lesions in humans. In addition, IL-22 mediates inflammation and binds class II cytokine receptor heterodimers IL-22 RA1/CRF2-4. This cytokine is also involved in immuno-regulatory responses. IL-26 (AK155) is a novel cytokine generated by memory cells and is involved in the transformed phenotype of human T cells after infection by herpes virus. All these new IL-10 subfamily member cytokines are strongly involved in immune regulation and inflammatory responses. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.