Interleukin 29

Interleukin-29 (IL-29) is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the IL29 is_associated_with::gene that resides on is_associated_with::chromosome 19.

IL-29 is a member of the helical is_associated_with::cytokine family and is a type III is_associated_with::interferon. It is also known as IFNλ1 and is highly similar in amino acid sequence to the IL-28, the other is_associated_with::type III interferon. IL-29 plays an important role in host defenses against is_associated_with::microbes and its is_associated_with::gene is highly upregulated in cells infected with is_associated_with::viruses. IL29 is not present in the mouse genome.