Interleukin 32 (IL32)

Interleukin 32 (IL-32) is a cytokine that can induce cells of the immune system (such as monocytes and macrophages) to secrete tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in addition to 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.

Northern blot analysis revealed expression of a 1.0-kb transcript in activated NK and T cells, but no expression was detected in B cells or fibroblasts. Southern blot and sequence analyses indicated variable expression of NK4 in different individuals, suggesting that the NK4 gene is polymorphic. SDS-PAGE analysis showed expression of a 27-kD protein, in agreement with the predicted size.