The IL-33/ST2 axis: Role in health and disease

Interleukin-33 (IL-33), a member of the IL1 cytokine family, is mainly associated with the induction of T-helper type 2 (Th2) immune response through its receptor, ST2 [1]. Several immune cell types express IL-33, such as macrophages and dendritic cells, as do non-immune cells, such as endothelial cells, epithelial cells and fibroblasts [1–4]. IL33 was initially described as a nuclear repressor factor, and later identified as an extracellular ligand for ST2 [1,2]. The ST2 receptor, encoded by the IL1RL1 gene, is expressed as a ST2L membrane-anchored receptor variant activated by IL-33, and as the soluble variant sST2, which acts as a decoy receptor and has anti-inflammatory properties [5,6].
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Tags: Mini review Source Type: research