Entrez 9235 | Ensembl ENSG00000008517 | |
Aliases IL32, IL-32alpha, IL-32beta, IL-32delta, IL-32gamma, NK4, TAIF, TAIFa, TAIFb, TAIFc, TAIFd, Interleukin 32, IL-32 External IDs HomoloGene: 128400 GeneCards: IL32 |
Function
This gene encodes a member of the cytokine family. The protein contains a tyrosine sulfation site, 3 potential N-myristoylation sites, multiple putative phosphorylation sites, and an RGD cell-attachment sequence. Expression of this protein is increased after the activation of T-cells by mitogens or the activation of NK cells by IL-2. This protein induces the production of TNF-alpha from macrophage cells. Alternate transcriptional splice variants, encoding different isoforms, have been characterized.
Interleukin 32 (IL-32) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that can induce cells of the immune system (such as monocytes and macrophages) to secrete inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and IL-6. In addition, it can also induce the production of chemokines such as IL-8 and MIP-2 / CXCL2.
IL-32 can also support osteoclast differentiation but not osteoclast activation by regulating the MAPK/ERK pathway and the actin cytoskeleton.