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. 2011 Sep 29;27(5):351. doi: 10.1007/s12264-011-1025-5

Research progress on interleukin-33 and its roles in the central nervous system

IL-33 及其在中枢神经系统中作用的研究进展

Ping Han 1, Wen-Li Mi 1,✉, Yan-Qing Wang 1
PMCID: PMC5560310  PMID: 21934731

Abstract

Interleukin-33 (IL-33), a newly recognized IL-1 family member, is expressed by various tissues and cells. Since it can combine with chromosomes, IL-33 is regarded as an intracellular transcription repressor. Upon proinflammatory stimulation, it is released as an extracellular cytokine to function as an alarmin to dangerous signals. The IL-33 receptor is a heterodimer complex composed of ST2 and the IL-1 receptor accessory protein, the latter being conserved in other IL-1 family members. The IL-33/ST2 signaling pathway plays critical roles in inflammatory and immune diseases, as well as in central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Recently, there has been an increasing focus on IL-33, particularly on its production and functions in the CNS. The present review mainly focuses on progress in research on IL-33, especially its roles in the CNS.

Keywords: interleukin-33, ST2, signaling, central nervous system

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