Cytokines of the Interleukin (IL)-12 family, consisting of IL-12, IL-23, IL-27 and IL-35, are important regulators in (chronic) inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, but also in cardiovascular diseases.
IL-25 may exert a positive influence in male MS patients and should be considered for future studies, together with the co-modulation between sCD40L and IL_31.
Overall, our data show that IL-27 is a key cytokine in antigen-induced peripheral tolerance and may provide basis for improvement of antigen-specific tolerance approaches in multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases.
This was surprising as both TLR3 and IL-10 play protective roles in animal models of MS. Interestingly, combination of TLR3 triggering with the other TLRs, enhanced IL-10 through the modulation of its transcription, via interferon (IFN)-β, but independently of IL-27.
Recently, IL-27 was found to play a role in suppressing experimental autoimmune uveitis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, two animal models that share essential pathological features of human uveitis and multiple sclerosis, respectively.
Our findings suggest that IFN-β mediates its therapeutic effects in MS at least in part via the induction of IL-27, and that IL-27 may represent an alternative therapy for MS patients that do not respond to IFN-β.
The aim of this review is to highlight the potential areas of IL-27 clinical application, especially the management of neoplastic and viral diseases as well as autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.