1. Academic Validation
  2. IL-20: biological functions mediated through two types of receptor complexes

IL-20: biological functions mediated through two types of receptor complexes

  • Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2010 Oct;21(5):353-63. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2010.08.001.
Ursula Maria Wegenka 1
Affiliations

Affiliation

  • 1 University Medical Center, Center of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine I, Robert-Koch-Strasse 8, D-89081 Ulm, Germany. ursula.wegenka@uni-ulm.de
Abstract

IL-20 was discovered 10 years ago as a new member of the IL-10 family of cytokines. IL-20 shares the highest amino-acid sequence identity with IL-10, IL-24 and IL-19. IL-20 is secreted by immune cells and activated epithelial cells like keratinocytes. A high expression of the corresponding IL-20 Receptor chains is detected on epithelial cells. In terms of function, IL-20 might therefore mediate a crosstalk between epithelial cells and tissue-infiltrating immune cells under inflammatory conditions. Transgenic and knockout mouse models for some cytokines and receptors of the IL-10-type cytokines have provided new insights into the biology of this family. This review will focus on the biological functions of IL-20 and its receptors within the IL-10 cytokine network.

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