Interleukin-27 is a heterodimeric cytokine

Cytokine

Cytokines are small cell-signaling protein molecules that are secreted by the glial cells of the nervous system and by numerous cells of the immune system and are a category of signaling molecules used extensively in intercellular communication...

 belonging to the IL-12

Interleukin 12

Interleukin 12 is an interleukin that is naturally produced by dendritic cells, macrophages and human B-lymphoblastoid cells in response to antigenic stimulation.-Gene and structure:...

 family that is composed of two subunits, Epstein-Barr virus

Epstein-Barr virus

The Epstein–Barr virus , also called human herpesvirus 4 , is a virus of the herpes family and is one of the most common viruses in humans. It is best known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis...

 (EBV)-induced gene 3 (EBI3) (also known as IL-27B) and IL27-p28 (known as IL-30

Interleukin 30

Interleukin-30 is a protein with a molecular weight of 28 kilodaltons, which forms one chain of the heterodimeric cytokine called interleukin 27 , thus is sometimes called IL27-p28. The other chain of IL-27 is a molecule called Epstein-Barr induced gene-3...

).
IL-27 is produced by antigen-presenting cell

Antigen-presenting cell

An antigen-presenting cell or accessory cell is a cell that displays foreign antigen complexes with major histocompatibility complex on their surfaces. T-cells may recognize these complexes using their T-cell receptors...

s. IL-27 plays an important function in regulating the activity of B and T lymphocytes. The effects of IL-27 are eliciting by its interaction with a specific cell surface receptor complex composed of two proteins known as IL27R and gp130

Glycoprotein 130

Glycoprotein 130 is a transmembrane protein which is the founding member of the class of all cytokine receptors. It forms one subunit of type I cytokine receptors within the IL-6 receptor family...

.