A Pivotal Role for Interleukin-27 in CD8(+) T Cell Functions and Generation of Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) play a critical role in the control of various cancers and infections, and therefore the molecular mechanisms of CTL generation are a critical issue in designing antitumor immunotherapy and vaccines which augment the development of functional and long-lasting memory CTLs. Interleukin (IL)-27, a member of the IL-6/IL-12 heterodimeric cytokine family, acts on naive CD4(+) T cells and plays pivotal roles as a proinflammatory cytokine to promote the early initiation of type-1 helper differentiation and also as an antiinflammatory cytokine to limit the T cell hyperactivity and production of proinflammatory cytokines. Recent studies revealed that IL-27 plays an important role in CD8(+) T cells as well. Therefore, this article reviews current understanding of the role of IL-27 in CD8(+) T cell functions and generation of CTLs.