Cross-regulation of Signaling Pathways by Interferon-γ: Implications for Immune Responses and Autoimmune Diseases

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is an important mediator of immunity and inflammation that utilizes the JAK-STAT signaling pathway to activate the STAT1 transcription factor. Many functions of IFN-gamma have been ascribed to direct STAT1-mediated induction of immune effector genes, but recently it has become clear that key IFN-gamma functions are mediated by cross-regulation of cellular responses to other cytokines and inflammatory factors. Here, we review mechanisms by which IFN-gamma and STAT1 regulate signaling by Toll-like receptors, inflammatory factors, tissue-destructive cytokines, anti-inflammatory cytokines, and cytokines that activate opposing STATs. These signaling mechanisms reveal insights about how IFN-gamma regulates macrophage activation, inflammation, tissue remodeling, and helper and regulatory T cell differentiation and how Th1 and Th17 cell responses are integrated in autoimmune diseases.