IL-27 and IL-35 as gene therapy of neuroinflammation

Abstract

Interleukin 27 and 35 belong to IL-12 cytokine family, which also includes, IL-12, IL-23. Even if all cytokines, belonging to this family, present a structural homology, they mediate different functions. In particular, IL-12 and IL-23 are mostly pro-inflammatory cytokines, with, respectively, key roles in the development of TH1 and TH17 cells, which represent the crucial effector cells in multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). IL-27 and IL-35 are mainly immunomodulatory cytokines and principally act on immune cell-mediated response.