interferon-lambda 2

**Interferon-lambda 2** is a type III interferon (also called IFN-λ2 or interleukin-28A), a recombinant protein cytokine with antiviral, antitumor, and immunomodulatory activities, primarily active at epithelial barriers. Unlike type I interferons, IFN-λ2 acts mainly on epithelial cells due to the restricted expression of its receptor (IFNLR1). It induces antiviral and immune signaling through the JAK/STAT pathway, stimulating the transcription of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). IFN-λ2 is being investigated for treatment of viral infections (notably respiratory viruses and hepatitis B/C), and for certain autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. It is not FDA-approved, but under research for viral infections such as COVID-19, influenza, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and autoimmune arthritis. IFN-λ2 limits viral spread at mucosal surfaces while avoiding strong systemic inflammation that can occur with type I interferons[2][3][5][8][10].

Other names

interferon lambda-2IFN-λ2interleukin-28Ainterleukin28Ainterleukin 28AIFNL2IFNL-2IFNL 2IL28AIL-28AIL 28A