Interleukin-28 receptor complex (IFN-λ receptor complex (alternative: IL-28 receptor complex))

The Interleukin-28 receptor complex is a heterodimeric membrane receptor composed of the unique IFN-λ receptor 1 (IFN-λR1, also called IL-28RA or IL-28 receptor alpha) and the shared IL-10 receptor 2 (IL-10R2, also known as IL-10RB). It is the primary receptor for type III interferons (IFN-λ1/IL-29, IFN-λ2/IL-28A, IFN-λ3/IL-28B) and mediates their antiviral and immunomodulatory effects, particularly at barrier surfaces such as the respiratory and gastrointestinal epithelium[1][2][3]. Upon ligand binding, IFN-λR1 binds type III interferon cytokine, recruiting IL-10R2 to form the active complex, which then triggers JAK-STAT signaling to induce antiviral and immune-response genes. The receptor complex is structurally related to other class II cytokine receptors and structurally characterized by two fibronectin type III domains in each chain[2]. Therapeutically, selective targeting of this receptor is being explored for viral infections due to its restricted tissue expression, potentially reducing systemic side effects compared to type I interferon therapies[1].

Other names

Type III interferon receptor complexIFN-lambda receptor complexIFN-λR1/IL-10R2 complexIL-28R complexInterleukin-28/29 receptor complex

Ligand binding (type III interferon, e.g., IFN-λ1/IL-29, IFN-λ2/IL-28A, IFN-λ3/IL-28B) induces dimerization of the receptor complex (IFN-λR1 and IL-10R2), activating intracellular JAK-STAT signaling, leading to antiviral gene expression[1][2][3].