IL-38

Interleukin-38 (IL-38, formerly IL-1F10) is the most recently characterized anti-inflammatory cytokine of the IL-1 family, sharing structural homology with IL-1 receptor antagonist and IL-36RA. It is expressed in skin, tonsils, spleen, thymus and proliferating B cells, and is upregulated in psoriatic lesional skin. IL-38 binds interleukin-36 receptor (IL-1RL2) as well as IL-1R1 and IL-1Rrp2 in certain contexts, functioning as a partial antagonist or agonist that limits IL-36- and IL-1-driven inflammation: it suppresses the production of IL-6, IL-8, IL-17 and IL-22 from stimulated macrophages, dendritic cells and Th17 cells. IL-38 can be processed by elastase and cathepsin G to variants with enhanced potency. Clinically, IL-38 levels inversely correlate with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis and systemic lupus erythematosus, and gain-of-function protection is suggested by genetic associations, making IL-38 a promising anti-inflammatory biologic candidate.