Interleukin-24

Interleukin-24 (IL-24) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IL24 gene. It is a member of the interleukin family of cytokines, proteins that play a central role in the immune system by regulating cell growth, cell differentiation, and immune response.

Structure and Function

IL-24 is a secreted protein that has a molecular mass of approximately 35-40 kDa. It is primarily produced by monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells following their activation by pathogens or inflammation. IL-24 can also be produced by T cells and B cells.

The primary function of IL-24 is to regulate the immune response by promoting Th1 cell responses and suppressing Th2 cell responses. It does this by inducing the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and inhibiting the production of interleukin-4 (IL-4). IL-24 also has anti-tumor properties and has been shown to inhibit the growth of various types of cancer cells.

Clinical Significance

Due to its role in the immune response and its anti-tumor properties, IL-24 has been investigated as a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of various diseases, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases.

In cancer, IL-24 has been shown to inhibit the growth of various types of cancer cells, including melanoma, breast cancer, and lung cancer cells. It does this by inducing apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in these cells.

In autoimmune diseases, IL-24 has been shown to suppress the immune response, which can help to reduce the symptoms of these diseases.

In infectious diseases, IL-24 has been shown to enhance the immune response, which can help to fight off the infection.

See Also

• Interleukin
• Cytokine
• Immune system
• Cancer
• Autoimmune diseases
• Infectious diseases