IL-29 is distantly related to type I interferons and the IL-10 family. Expression of IL-29 is induced by viral infection which interacts with a heterodimeric class II cytokine receptor that consists of interleukin 10 receptor,beta (IL10RB) and interleukin 28 receptor,alpha. IL-29 exhibits common features with type I IFNs such as antiviral activity,antiproliferative activity and in vivo antitumour activity.
IL-29 acts similarly to IFNs,but is less effective generally and has activity in a more limited range of cell lines. IFN-ambda 1,IFN-lambda 2 and IFN-lambda3 are closely positioned genes on human chromosome 19.
IL-29 induces ELR(-) CXC chemokine mRNA in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells,in an IFN-gamma-independent manner.
IL-29 is able to generate tolerogenic DCs,an activity that could thwart IFN-beta functions. IL-29 produced in response to viral infection,activates both monocytes and macrophages producing a restricted panel of cytokines and therefore is an important factor in activating innate immune responses at the site of viral infection.
IFN-Lambda 1 antiviral and antiproliferative activity requires Interferon-Lambda 2 receptor tyrosine residues.