Interleukin-27 induces a STAT1/3- and NF-kappaB-dependent proinflammatory cytokine profile in human monocytes.

IL-27 is a heterodimeric cytokine bridging innate and adaptive immunity by playing a role in the activation of naive T cells and in development of Th1 cells. Additionally, recent evidence supports a role for IL-27 in the activation of monocytic cells. Both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory activities have been attributed to IL-27; however, the role played by IL-27 in the activation of human monocytic cells in terms of cytokine production has not been well described. Our results show that IL-27 is a strong inducer of proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine expression, including enhancement of IL-6, IP-10, MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and TNF-alpha expression in human primary monocytes. Furthermore, we observed that IL-27-induced cytokine and chemokine production was mediated by STAT1, STAT3, and NF-kappaB activation. Understanding how IL-27 exerts its effects on monocytic cells will identify important molecular mechanisms in the regulation of immune responses, particularly in the modulation of monocyte activation.