Abstract:

The interleukin-33(IL-33) is a IL-1 family cytokine newly discovered in 2005, and it functions by specifically binding to its receptor suppression of tumorigenicity 2(ST2), forming the IL-33/ST2 axis. The IL-33/ST2 axis plays different roles in different infectious diseases, depending on the type of infectious agents, organ involved, infection stage (acute or chronic), and cellular and cytokine microenvironments. In this review, we focus on recent research progress on diverse roles of the IL-33/ST2 axis in various infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.

Key words:  Infectious disease, Interleukin-33, ST2