| Modification Notes |
The interleukins make up a large family of well characterized cytokines, primarily of hematopoietic cell origin. The interleukins are secreted by immune cells (mainly macrophages, B cells and T cells) that regulate a wide range of immune system functions. Interleukin-32 (IL-32), also designated Natural Killer (NK) cell transcript 4 (nk4), may play a role in inflammatory responses such as lymphocyte activation. IL-32 is secreted following stimulation with inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1b and IFN-g, and by NK cells after exposure to IL-12 and IL-18. It also induces production of IL-1b, TNFa, MIP-2 and IL-6. Expression of IL-32 increases after activation of T cells by mitogens or activation of NK cells by IL-2. The IL-32 protein contains three potential N-myristoylation sites, a tyrosine sulfation site, an RGD cell-attachment sequence and multiple putative phosphorylation sites. Human IL-32 exists as four isoforms. |