Interleukin 26

Interleukin-26 (IL-26) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IL26 gene.55801n/aENSG00000111536n/aQ9NPH9n/aNM_018402n/aNP_060872n/aInterleukin 26 (IL-26), is a natural human antimicrobial that promotes immune sensing of bacterial and host cell death. IL-26, a human TH17 cell–derived cytokine, is a cationic amphipathic protein that kills extracellular bacteria via membrane-pore formation. Furthermore, TH17 cell–derived IL-26 formed complexes with bacterial DNA and self-DNA released by dying bacteria and host cells. The IL-26–DNA complexes triggered the production of type I interferon by plasmacytoid dendritic cells via activation of Toll-like receptor 9, but independently of the IL-26 receptor.Meller, S., Di Domizio, J., Voo, K. S., Friedrich, H. C., Chamilos, G., Ganguly, D., ... & Ladbury, J. E. (2015). TH17 cells promote microbial killing and innate immune sensing of DNA via interleukin 26. Nature immunology, 16(9), 970-979.