interleukin-24

Interleukin-24 is a human cytokine in the interleukin-10 family, primarily functioning as an immunomodulatory protein. It signals through two heterodimeric cell surface receptors (IL-20R1/IL-20R2 and IL-22R1/IL-20R2), activating the JAK/STAT pathway, particularly STAT1 and STAT3. IL-24 exerts multiple biological effects including regulation of immune responses, cell survival, and proliferation. It is released mainly by activated monocytes, macrophages, and T helper 2 cells. Unlike similar cytokines, IL-24 demonstrates potent anti-tumor activity by selectively inducing cancer cell apoptosis, modulating stress pathways (notably by inducing ER stress and ROS production), and inhibiting angiogenesis and metastasis. It plays physiological roles in wound healing, host defense, and regulation of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases (e.g., psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis). IL-24 is under active investigation as a cancer therapeutic via gene therapy and protein-based approaches, and has demonstrated promising activity in preclinical and early clinical cancer studies[1][2][4][5][6].

Other names

IL-24IL24IL 24