Title:IL-27: Friend or Foe in the Autoimmune Diseases
VOLUME: 13 ISSUE: 2
Author(s):Mostafa Ejtehadifar, Sarah Zahedi, Ghasem Mosayebi, Ghasem Ghalamfarsa, Abbas Pishdadian, Ali Ghazavi, Mohsen Ebrahimi and Ali Ganji*
Affiliation:Molecular and Medicine Research Center, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Department of Hematology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Molecular and Medicine Research Center, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Medicinal plants Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, School of Medicine, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Molecular and Medicine Research Center, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Molecular and Medicine Research Center, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak
Keywords:Cytokines, IL-27, autoimmune diseases, multiple sclerosis, inflammation, autoimmunity.
Abstract:Background: Autoimmune diseases, with emerging clinical concerns, are caused by
imbalances in immune system functions. Cytokines are critical components of the immune system
produced by various immune and non-immune cells.
Objective: We will review the newly-introduced cytokine known as interleukin-27 (IL-27), which has
both pro- and anti- inflammatory roles in immunity.
Methods: Literature review of the field of immunology and cytokines in autoimmune diseases.
Results: IL-27 alters the balance between the different types of T helper (Th) cells through reduction or
promotion of their responses to autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis,
inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, autoimmune diabetes, systemic lupus
erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, Behcet’s disease, and autoimmune aplastic anemia.
Conclusions: The functions of IL-27 are currently unclear because it appears to affect different cells,
cytokines, and signaling pathways differently. Further investigations are needed to clarify the role of
IL-27 in autoimmune diseases. Hence, this article reviewed the multiple roles of IL-27 in autoimmune
diseases and describe the influence of IL-27 on the immune system.
