Novel anti-inflammatory interleukin-35 as an emerging target for anti-atherosclerotic therapy

Atherosclerosis has been widely recognized as a slow progressing inflammatory disease of the aorta and other large caliber arterial vessels. Accumulating evidence suggest that interleukin (IL)-35 can represent an attractive target for future anti-atherosclerotic therapy due to several atheroprotective properties. First, immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory activity of this cytokine could be beneficial against vascular inflammation. Second, IL-35 can suppress a variety of T cells including proinflammatory Th1 and Th17 cells and probably dendritic cells. Third, IL-35 supports proliferation of regulatory T cells (Tregs), increases their inhibitory function, and induces a new set of Tregs called inducible IL-35-producing Tregs (iTr35 cells). Fourth, this cytokine promotes production of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 and down-regulates expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-17. Finally, IL-35 is inducible. The fact that IL-35 could be induced by simple compounds such as chemical chaperons may provide advances in developing new efficient strategies for treatment of atherosclerosis. However, it is necessary to test IL-35-inducing factors in order to understand mechanisms of induction and then select the most optimal one. Probably, constructing of humanized antibodies that mimic IL-35 function may provide benefits for advanced atheroprotective therapy.