IL-27 induces differentiation of the diverse populations of T cells in the immune system and also upregulates IL-10.
Tr1 cells, which express IL-10, are induced by IL-27 through the transcription factor c-Maf.
[2][4][5] IL-10 acts in an anti-inflammatory manner by suppressing inflammatory responses.
Also involved are the STAT1 and STAT3 transcription factors that bind specifically to the receptor subunits, IL-27ɑ and glycoprotein.
IL-27 is able to activate STAT3 signaling, which eventually leads to an increase of IL-10 secretion from Treg cells.