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Lambda interferons come to light: dual function cytokines mediating antiviral immunity and damage control

Evangelos Andreakos1, Ivan Zanoni2, Ioanna E Galani3

  • 1Laboratory of Immunobiology, Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; Airway Disease Infection Section, National Heart and Lung Institute, Medical Research Council and Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma, Imperial College London, London W2 1NY, United Kingdom.

Current Opinion in Immunology
|November 7, 2018
PubMed

Lambda interferons (IFNλs, type III IFNs or interleukins-28/29) were described fifteen years ago as novel cytokines sharing structural and functional homology with IL-10 and type I IFNs, respectively. IFNλs engage a unique receptor complex comprising IFNLR1 and IL10R2, nevertheless they share signaling cascade and many functions with type I IFNs, questioning their possible non-redundant roles and overall biological importance. Here, we review the latest evidence establishing the primacy of IFNλs in front line protection at anatomical barriers, mediating antiviral immunity before type I IFNs. We also discuss their emerging role in regulating inflammation and limiting host damage, a major difference to type I IFNs. IFNλs come thus to light as dual function cytokines mediating antiviral immunity and damage control.

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