Vol. 5, Issue 5 (2016)

Author(s):
Dr. DN. Tibarewala, Dr. Sukumar Roy, Dr. Partha Majumder

Abstract:
Interleukin are a group of cytokines (secreted proteins and signal molecules) that were first seen to be expressed by white blood cells (leukocytes)
The function of the immune system depends in a large part on interleukins, and rare deficiencies of a number of them have been described, all featuring autoimmune diseases or immune deficiency. The majority of interleukins are synthesized by helper CD4 T lymphocytes, as well as through monocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells. They promote the development and differentiation of T and B lymphocytes, and hematopoietic cells. Interleukin 17 (IL-17) is a potent proinflammatory cytokine produced by activated memory T cells. The IL-17 family is thought to represent a distinct signaling system that appears to have been highly conserved across vertebrate evolution.
Interleukin 17 (IL-17) and its closest relative, IL-17F, have recently drawn much attention in the field of immunology. IL-17 and IL-17F are expressed by a distinct type of T cells, T helper 17 cells and certain other lymphocytes. These cytokines play key regulatory roles in host defense and inflammatory diseases. In this review, we summarize the recent findings in IL-17 biology and the progress towards understanding the regulatory mechanisms of IL-17 expression and signaling mechanisms. This knowledge will benefit the development of novel immune modulators that enhance immunity to various infections and reduce inflammatory damage in infected patients