The Role of the IL-33/ST2 Immune Pathway in Autoimmunity: New Insights and Perspectives

Interleukin (IL)-33, a member of IL-1 cytokine family, is produced by
various immune cells and acts as an alarm to alert the immune system
after epithelial or endothelial cell damage during cell necrosis, infection,
stress, and trauma. The biological functions of IL-33 largely depend on
its ligation to the corresponding receptor, suppression of tumorigenicity
2 (ST2). The pathogenic roles of this cytokine have been implicated in
several disorders, including allergic disease, cardiovascular disease,
autoimmune disease, infectious disease, and cancers. However, alerted
levels of IL-33 may result in either disease amelioration or progression.
Genetic variations of IL33 gene may confer protective or susceptibility
risk in the onset of autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this review is
to discuss the involvement of IL-33 and ST2 in the pathogenesis of
a variety of autoimmune disorders, such as autoimmune rheumatic,
neurodegenerative, and endocrine diseases