The role of IL-33 in rheumatic diseases

Clin Dev Immunol. 2013:2013:924363. doi: 10.1155/2013/924363. Epub 2013 Sep 15.

Abstract

Interleukin-33 (IL-33), a novel member of IL-1 family, has been recently implicated in several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. IL-33 can be produced by various types of tissues and cells and induce gene expression of Th2-associated cytokines via binding to the orphan receptor ST2. By promoting Th2 type immune response, IL-33 plays important roles in the allergy, whereas its function in autoimmune diseases attracts more attention. Recent studies reported the correlation of IL-33 with rheumatic diseases, and most of them found that the IL-33 expression levels were consistent with disease activity and development. Furthermore, evidence has indicated that IL-33-related treatment may ameliorate the pathogenic conditions and attenuate disease progression of those rheumatic diseases. Therefore, elucidation of the roles of IL-33 in rheumatic diseases would be beneficial to understand the pathogenesis and therapy of these diseases. In this paper, we will summarize the roles of IL-33 in the rheumatic diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-33
  • Interleukins / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1 / genetics
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1 / metabolism
  • Rheumatic Diseases / diagnosis
  • Rheumatic Diseases / genetics
  • Rheumatic Diseases / immunology
  • Rheumatic Diseases / metabolism*

Substances

  • IL33 protein, human
  • Interleukin-33
  • Interleukins
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1