Open AccessThe Genetic Association of IFN-λs with Human Inflammatory Disorders Remains a Conundrum
Author(s) -
Sreedhar Chinnaswamy,
Marek L. Kowalski
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of interferon and cytokine research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1557-7465
pISSN - 1079-9907
DOI - 10.1089/jir.2019.0009
Subject(s) - immunology , immune system , inflammation , biology , mechanism (biology) , locus (genetics) , genetics , gene , philosophy , epistemology
Type III Interferons (IFNs) or lambda IFNs (IFN-λs or IFNLs) although are primarily antiviral cytokines, may have roles to play in shaping immune responses, including those during inflammation. Genetic variants within the IFNL locus have been shown to be associated with various inflammatory conditions in humans ranging from metabolic to autoimmune and allergic diseases. The mechanism behind these genetic associations is not clear. Appropriate data analysis methods and functional evidence should be complimentarily used to identify the causal variants and mechanisms.