Pathway: Interleukin-27 signaling
Reactions in pathway: Interleukin-27 signaling :
Interleukin-27 signaling
Interleukin-27 (IL27) is a heterodimeric cytokine that contains Epstein-Barr virus–induced gene 3 (EBI3) and IL27p28 (IL27). It signals through a receptor composed of Interleukin-6 receptor subunit beta (IL6ST, gp130), which is utilized by many cytokines, and Interleukin-27 receptor subunit alpha (IL27RA, WSX-1, TCCR) (Yoshida & Hunter 2015).
Cytokines are small proteins that regulate and mediate immunity, inflammation, and hematopoiesis. They are secreted in response to immune stimuli, and usually act briefly, locally, at very low concentrations. Cytokines bind to specific membrane receptors, which then signal the cell via second messengers, to regulate cellular activity.
Humans are exposed to millions of potential pathogens daily, through contact, ingestion, and inhalation. Our ability to avoid infection depends on the adaptive immune system and during the first critical hours and days of exposure to a new pathogen, our innate immune system.