EYRAplex: Human Viral (13‑plex)

Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) can be secreted by T cells, macrophages, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. GM-CSF stimulates the survival and functional activities of myeloid, that is, monocytes, macrophages, DCs, neutrophils, and eosinophils. It also stimulates the differentiation and proliferation of hematological progenitors.

Interferon-α and interferon-β are type I interferons. These antiviral cytokines are mainly produced by virus-infected cells after sensing the presence of danger signals such as viral DNA or RNA. IFN-α and IFN-β act through the same receptor and initiate an anti-viral response, affect immune regulation, T cell responses, and also anti-tumor effects have been shown. A key producer of type I interferons is the plasmacytoid dendritic cell. Additionally, IFN-α is secreted by lymphocytes, macrophages, fibroblasts, and dendritic cells. 

In humans, interferon-α has 13 subtypes: IFN-α 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, and 21.

In mice, there are 14 IFN-α subtypes: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6T, 7/10, 8/6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 (A), and B. There are also different allelic forms of mouse IFN-α subtypes 1, 7/10, 8/6, and 11 in mouse strains 129/Sv and C57BL/6.

Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is the only type II interferon. This proinflammatory cytokine is secreted by activated T cells and NK cells. It activates macrophages and endothelial cells and regulates immune responses by affecting APCs, T cells, and B cells. Production of IFN-γ by helper T cells and cytotoxic T cells is a hallmark of the Th1-type phenotype. Thus, high-level production of IFN-γ is typically associated with effective host defense against intracellular pathogens.

Interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) is a proinflammatory cytokine and inducer of acute phase responses. IL-1ß is produced primarily by monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells after induction by microbes.
 

Interleukin 4 (IL-4) is produced primarily by Th2 cells, mast cells, eosinophils, and basophils. IL-4 was first identified to costimulate B cell growth; the cytokine is essential for B cell secretion of IgE and augments the production of IgG1 in vivo. In addition to regulating B cell growth and immunoglobulin secretion, IL-4 also affects T cells. In vitro, IL-4 promotes T cell growth and can induce cytolytic T cell activity. IL-4 also induces the differentiation of naive CD4 T cells into Th2 cells, which are characterized by their capacity to secrete the cytokines IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 upon activation, while simultaneously inhibiting the generation of Th1 cells.

Interleukin 5 (IL-5) is a pleiotropic cytokine primarily produced by T and NK cells.  IL-5 specifically controls the survival, differentiation, and chemotaxis of eosinophils. But initially, IL-5 was characterized by its ability to support the growth and terminal differentiation of B cells.

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine produced by many different cell types and plays a role in a wide range of functions, such as immune responses, acute-phase reactions, and hematopoiesis. Among other things, it augments antibody production from activated B cells in vitro.

Interleukin 8 (IL-8) is a proinflammatory cytokine produced by different types of cells, including monocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells. Inflammatory stimuli, such as LPS, strongly induce IL-8 production by monocytes.

Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is a pleiotropic cytokine produced by activated T cells and monocytes. It can modulate the functions of immune responses in both a stimulatory and an inhibitory way. IL-10 is thereby involved in the regulation of immune reactions and inflammatory responses.

Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is, when biologically active, a heterodimer (p70) consisting of two covalently linked subunits, p35 and p40. The p40 subunit is shared with IL-23. IL-12 is produced by antigen-presenting cells, specifically dendritic cells, and macrophages. IL-12 is a proinflammatory cytokine that promotes Th1-type responses by inducing IFN-γ production and enhancing the proliferation and cytotoxicity of NK and T cells.

Interleukin 29 (IL-29, IFN-λ1) is at type III interferon. Presently, three type III interferons are described: IFN-λ1, IFN-λ2, and IFN-λ3. Similar to type I interferons, IL-29 is mainly produced by monocytes and dendritic cells in response to viral infections. Among other anti-viral effects, IL-29 induces upregulation of MHC class I on the surface of the virus-infected cell.

Perforin is produced by cytotoxic T cells and NK cells as an effector molecule in the cell-mediated destruction of target cells. Perforin is responsible for pore formation and facilitates the delivery of granzymes which induces apoptosis of the target cell.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), also known as TNF-α, is produced by many different cell types, e.g., monocytes, macrophages, T cells, and B cells. Among the many effects of TNF-α are protection against bacterial infection, cell growth modulation, immune system regulation, and involvement in septic shock.