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Interleukins

 

Interleukins are the cytokines that act specifically as mediators between leucocytes. The following table shows the major source and effects of various types of interleukins.

   Major source Major effects
IL-1 Macrophages Stimulation of T cells and antigen-presenting cells.
B-cell growth and anibody production.
Promotes hematopoiesis (blood cell formation).
IL-2 Activated T cells Proliferation of activated T cells.
IL-3 T lymphocytes Growth of blood cell precursors.
IL-4 T cells and mast cells B-cell proliferation.
IgE production.
IL-5 T cells and mast cells Eosinophil growth.
IL-6 Activated T cells Synergistic effects with IL-1 or TNFa.
IL-7 thymus and bone marrow stromal cells Development of T cell and B cell precursors.
IL-8 Macrophages Chemoattracts neutrophils.
IL-9 Activated T cells Promotes growth of T cells and mast cells.
IL-10 Activated T cells, B cells and monocytes Inhibits inflammatory and immune responses.
IL-11 Stromal cells Synergistic effects on hematopoiesis.
IL-12 Macrophages, B cells Promotes TH1 cells while suppressing TH2 functions
IL-13 TH2 cells Similar to IL-4 effects
IL-15 Epithelial cells and monocytes Similar to IL-2 effects.
IL-16 CD8 T cells Chemoattracts CD4 T cells.
IL-17 Activated memory T cells Promotes T cell proliferation.
IL-18 Macrophages Induces IFNg production.

Most cytokines use the Jak-STAT pathway to transmit signals, but IL-1 uses a much more complex pathway (PNAS, 2001). 

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