Interleukin signaling pathways (IL signaling)

Interleukin signaling pathways represent a complex network of communication between immune cells and various tissues, mediated by a diverse family of cytokines known as interleukins (ILs) [1]. These pathways are fundamental to orchestrating both innate and adaptive immune responses, as well as regulating cellular processes such as growth, differentiation, and survival [2]. Signaling is typically initiated when a specific interleukin ligand binds to its cognate transmembrane receptor, which often recruits and activates intracellular kinases, most notably the Janus kinase (JAK) family [3]. This activation leads to the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) proteins, which then modulate the expression of target genes [4]. Dysregulation of these pathways is a central feature of many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease, where excessive signaling drives tissue damage [5]. In oncology, aberrant interleukin signaling can contribute to tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, and immune evasion [6]. Therapeutic intervention involves the use of monoclonal antibodies to neutralize ligands or receptors, as well as small-molecule inhibitors to target downstream signaling components [1, 3]. Sources: [1] StatPearls: Physiology, Cytokines (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov); [2] Wikipedia: Interleukin; [3] PubMed: JAK-STAT signaling pathway in health and disease; [4] UniProt: Cytokine-mediated signaling pathway; [5] NIH: Interleukin Signaling in Disease; [6] Nature Reviews Immunology: Interleukins in Cancer.

Other names

Interleukin-mediated signalingIL signaling cascadeCytokine signaling (interleukin-specific)

Neutralization of interleukin ligands, competitive inhibition of interleukin receptors, or inhibition of downstream intracellular signaling components such as Janus kinases (JAKs).