The ancient cytokine IL-17D is regulated by Nrf2 and mediates tumor and virus surveillance

Cytokine. 2017 Mar:91:10-12. doi: 10.1016/j.cyto.2016.11.017. Epub 2016 Dec 9.

Abstract

Early stage immune responses can dictate the severity and outcome of inflammatory processes such as tumor growth and viral infection. Cytokines such as the interleukin 17 (IL-17) family and cellular stress defense (e.g., anti-oxidant) pathways have evolved early and regulate disease surveillance in vertebrates and invertebrates as far back as Caenorhabditis elegans. Our group has recently found a new role for nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2) in regulating early anti-cancer immune responses by inducing IL-17D and recruiting natural killer (NK) cells. In this Cytokine Stimulus, we discuss recent findings that encourage boosting the Nrf2/IL-17D/NK cell axis for the treatment of cancer and viral infection.

Keywords: Cancer and virus surveillance; Early-evolved pathogen response; IL-17D; Nrf2.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Immunologic Surveillance*
  • Interleukin-17 / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / pathology
  • Mice
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / immunology*
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / immunology*
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Virus Diseases / immunology*
  • Virus Diseases / pathology

Substances

  • Il17d protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-17
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • Nfe2l2 protein, mouse