Interleukin 33

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Interleukin 33
Identifiers
Symbol(s)	IL33 , C9ORF26, IL1F11, NFHEV
Entrez	90865
OMIM	608678
RefSeq	NM_033439
UniProt	O95760
Other data
Locus	Chr. 9 p24.1

Interleukin 33 (IL-33) is a newly discovered cytokine that is structurally related to IL-1 and induces type 2 cytokine production from helper T cells. This cytokine was previously called NF-HEV because it appeared to have a role as a nuclear factor (NF) in high endothelial venules (HEVs).^[1] IL-33 mediates its biological effects by interacting with the orphan IL-1 receptor, ST2, activating intracellular molecules in the NF-κB and MAP kinase signaling pathways, that drive production of type 2 cytokines (e.g. IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) from polarized Th₂ cells. The induction of these type 2 cytokines by IL-33 in vivo is attributed to severe pathological changes observed in mucosal organs.^[2]

[edit] References

1. ^ E.S. Baekkevold et al., Molecular characterization of NF-HEV, a nuclear factor preferentially expressed in human high endothelial venules. American Journal of Patholology, 2003, Volume 163, pages 69-79.
2. ^ J. Schmitz et al., IL-33, an interleukin-1-like cytokine that signals via the IL-1 receptor-related protein ST2 and induces T helper type 2-associated cytokines. Immunity, 2005 Volume 23, pages 479-90.