1. Academic Validation
  2. Interleukin 20: discovery, receptor identification, and role in epidermal function

Interleukin 20: discovery, receptor identification, and role in epidermal function

  • Cell. 2001 Jan 12;104(1):9-19. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(01)00187-8.
H Blumberg 1 D Conklin W F Xu A Grossmann T Brender S Carollo M Eagan D Foster B A Haldeman A Hammond H Haugen L Jelinek J D Kelly K Madden M F Maurer J Parrish-Novak D Prunkard S Sexson C Sprecher K Waggie J West T E Whitmore L Yao M K Kuechle B A Dale Y A Chandrasekher
Affiliations

Affiliation

  • 1 Department of Genetics, ZymoGenetics, Inc., 1201 Eastlake Avenue E, Seattle, WA 98102, USA.
Abstract

A structural, profile-based algorithm was used to identify interleukin 20 (IL-20), a novel IL-10 homolog. Chromosomal localization of IL-20 led to the discovery of an IL-10 family cytokine cluster. Overexpression of IL-20 in transgenic (TG) mice causes neonatal lethality with skin abnormalities including aberrant epidermal differentiation. Recombinant IL-20 protein stimulates a signal transduction pathway through STAT3 in a keratinocyte cell line, demonstrating a direct action of this ligand. An IL-20 Receptor was identified as a heterodimer of two orphan class II cytokine receptor subunits. Both receptor subunits are expressed in skin and are dramatically upregulated in psoriatic skin. Taken together, these results demonstrate a role in epidermal function and psoriasis for IL-20, a novel cytokine identified solely by bioinformatics analysis.

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