Interleukin 17B (IL17B)

Interleukin-17 (IL17) is a T cell-derived cytokine that may play an important role in the initiation or maintenance of the proinflammatory response. Shi et al. (2000) cloned a cDNA encoding IL17B, which they initially designated IL20. The deduced 184-amino acid protein, 88% identical to the mouse sequence, has a 20-amino acid leader sequence, 1 potential N-glycosylation site, and 8 cysteine residues. Northern blot analysis detected a 1.0-kb transcript in spinal cord, testis, and small intestine, with less pronounced expression in prostate, colon mucosal lining, and ovary. SDS-PAGE analysis determined that IL17B is expressed as 23-, 22-, and 18-kD proteins under reducing conditions. Size-exclusion analysis suggested that IL17B is a nondisulfide-linked dimer.