Regulation of Cytokine Gene Expression in Immunity and Diseases

Abstract

Interferon gamma, referred to here as IFN-γ , is a major component in immunological cell signaling and is a critical regulatory protein for overall immune system function. First discovered in 1965 (Wheelock Science 149: (3681)310-311, 1965), IFN-γ is the only Type II interferon identifi ed. Its expression is both positively and negatively controlled by different factors. In this chapter, we will review the transcriptional and post-transcriptional control of IFN-γ expression. In the tran-scriptional control part, the regular activators and suppressors are summarized, we will also focus on the epigenetic control, such as chromosome access, DNA meth-ylation, and histone acetylation. The more we learn about the control of this regulatory protein will allow us to apply this knowledge in the future to effectively manipulate IFN-γ expression for the treatment of infections, cancer, infl ammation, and autoimmune diseases.