[6] The receptor is also highly expressed in cells of the lung, kidney, intestinal tract,[1] liver, heart and prostate.
[9] Cells such as those in the central nervous system, uterus, bone marrow, testis and skeletal muscle have low mRNA levels and do not respond to the interferon lambdas.
[1] When the type 3 cytokines bind to the interleukin-28 receptor it causes several cellular responses that aid the skin cells in fighting infection.
The interleukin-28 receptor, once a ligand is bound will activate a signaling pathway that causes an increase in MHC class 1 production.
[1] While the signaling cascade induced by type 3 interferons binding to their receptor results in significant protection from infections, the response must be regulated to prevent uncontrolled inflammation and apoptosis.
[1] There also exists a soluble splice variant of the receptor that can bind the type 3 interferons thus negatively regulating signaling.
[9] Studies show that signaling of the interferon lambdas via the IL-28R reduces tumorigenicity of cancer cells and causes apoptosis.