IL-17 family cytokines mediated signaling in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases

Inflammation is the immediate protective response of the body to pathogen invasions, allergen challenges, chemical exposures or physical injuries. Acute inflammation usually accompanies with transient infiltration of leukocytes, removal of danger signals and eventually tissue repair, while persistent and uncontrolled inflammation becomes a major stimulator in the progression of many chronic diseases in human, including autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders and cancer. Interleukin (IL)-17 family is a recent classified subset of cytokines, playing critical roles in both acute and chronic inflammatory responses. In this review, we will summarize recent progresses on the signalings of this family cytokines and their impacts on the inflammatory responses or disorders. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.