JavaScript is disabled in your browser. Please enable JavaScript to view this website.

IFNL2

Function

Cytokine with antiviral, antitumour and immunomodulatory activities. Plays a critical role in the antiviral host defense, predominantly in the epithelial tissues. Acts as a ligand for the heterodimeric class II cytokine receptor composed of IL10RB and IFNLR1, and receptor engagement leads to the activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway resulting in the expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISG), which mediate the antiviral state. Has a restricted receptor distribution and therefore restricted targets: is primarily active in epithelial cells and this cell type-selective action is because of the epithelial cell-specific expression of its receptor IFNLR1. Seems not to be essential for early virus-activated host defense in vaginal infection, but plays an important role in Toll-like receptor (TLR)-induced antiviral defense. Plays a significant role in the antiviral immune defense in the intestinal epithelium. Exerts an immunomodulatory effect by up-regulating MHC class I antigen expression.

Sequence Similarities

Belongs to the lambda interferon family.

Cellular localization

Alternative names

IL28A, ZCYTO20, IFNL2, Interferon lambda-2, IFN-lambda-2, Cytokine Zcyto20, Interleukin-28A, IL-28A

swissprot:Q8IZJ0 swissprot:Q8IZI9 omim:607401 omim:607402 omim:607403 swissprot:Q8IU54 entrezGene:282616 entrezGene:282617 entrezGene:282618