Cytokine with immunomodulatory activity. Alone, does not induce cytokine production, but reduces IL22 and IL17A production by T-cells in response to heat-killed Candida albicans. Reduces IL36G-induced production of IL8 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Increases IL6 production by dendritic cells stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Ligand for IL-36R/IL1RL2.
"IL-38 binds to the IL-36 receptor and has biological effects on immune cells similar to IL-36 receptor antagonist." van de Veerdonk F.L., Stoeckman A.K., Wu G., Boeckermann A.N., Azam T., Netea M.G., Joosten L.A., van der Meer J.W., Hao R., Kalabokis V., Dinarello C.A. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 109:3001-3005(2012) [PubMed] [Europe PMC] [Abstract] Cited for: FUNCTION.