Open AccessIL‐24: a classic cytokine and/or a potential cure for cancer?
Author(s) -
Kreis S.,
Philippidou D.,
Margue C.,
Behrmann I.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2008.00372.x
Subject(s) - cytokine , immune system , context (archaeology) , melanoma , biology , receptor , cancer , cancer cell , immunology , cancer research , apoptosis , signalling , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , paleontology
Abstract IL‐24, a member of the IL‐10 family of cytokines, is produced by monocytes and Th2 cells. Interestingly, immune cells do not appear to express specific IL‐24 receptor chains (IL‐20R1/IL‐20R2 and IL‐22R/IL‐20R2), it is therefore unlikely that IL‐24 has classical immune‐modulating properties. Skin, on the other hand, seems to represent a major target tissue for IL‐24 and related cytokines such as IL‐19, ‐20, and ‐22. However, the initial interest in IL‐24 did not arise from its physiological signalling properties through its cognate receptors but rather because of its tentative ability to selectively kill different cancer cells. In an attempt to further investigate the signalling events underlying the IL‐24‐induced cancer cell death, we found that melanoma cell lines did not react in the expected and previously described way. Using several different forms and delivery modes of IL‐24, we were unable to detect any apoptosis‐inducing properties of this cytokine in melanoma cells. In the present ‘Point of view’ we will briefly summarizse these findings and put them in context of published reports stating that IL‐24 might be a long sought after treatment for several types of cancer.