Interferon lambda-2 (IFNL2)

Cytokine with antiviral, antitumour and immunomodulatory activities. Plays a crucial role in the antiviral host defense, predominantly in the epithelial tissues.

Acts as a ligand for the heterodimeric class II cytokine receptor composed of IL10RB and IFNLR1, and receptor engagement leads to the activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway resulting in the expression of IFN- stimulated genes (ISG), which mediate the antiviral state. Has a restricted receptor distribution and therefore restricted targets: is primarily active in epithelial cells and this cell type- selective action is because of the epithelial cell-specific expression of its own receptor IFNLR1.