[Term]
id: PR:000001362
name: interferon lambda
def: "A type III interferon that is distantly related to type I interferons (IFNs) and the interleukin-10 family. It comprises the translation product of the IL28A, IL28B and IL29 genes. Generally induced by viral infection and exert their antiviral and immunomodulatory activities through a unique receptor complex composed of IFN-lambdaR1 and interleukin 10 receptor 2." [PMID:16618774]
comment: Category=family. Note: Some references consider 'lambda' and 'type III' to be synonyms. This is likely because lambda is the only type III interferon identified. However, the classification criteria for each nomenclature system differ.
synonym: "interferon type III" RELATED []
synonym: "type III interferon" RELATED []
is_a: PR:000028205 ! type III interferon