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.

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.

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.

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.