IL-36 alpha Human Active Protein

The protein encoded by this gene is a cytokine that can activate NF-kappa-B and MAPK signaling pathways to generate an inflammatory response. The encoded protein functions primarily in skin and demonstrates increased expression in psoriasis. In addition, decreased expression of this gene has been linked to a poor prognosis in both hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal cancer patients. [provided by RefSeq, Nov 2015]

Cytokine that binds to and signals through the IL1RL2/IL-36R receptor which in turn activates NF-kappa-B and MAPK signaling pathways in target cells linked to a pro-inflammatory response. Part of the IL-36 signaling system that is thought to be present in epithelial barriers and to take part in local inflammatory response; similar to the IL-1 system with which it shares the coreceptor IL1RAP. Seems to be involved in skin inflammatory response by acting on keratinocytes, dendritic cells and indirectly on T-cells to drive tissue infiltration, cell maturation and cell proliferation. In cultured keratinocytes induces the expression of macrophage, T-cell, and neutrophil chemokines, such as CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL2, CCL17, CCL22, CL20, CCL5, CCL2, CCL17, CCL22, CXCL8, CCL20 and CXCL1, and the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-8 and IL-6. In cultured monocytes upregulates expression of IL-1A, IL-1B and IL-6. In myeloid dendritic cells involved in cell maturation by upregulating surface expression of CD83, CD86 and HLA-DR. In monocyte-derived dendritic cells facilitates dendritic cell maturation and drives T-cell proliferation. May play a role in proinflammatory effects in the lung.