Genentech to Present at GTCbio’s 6th Cytokines and Inflammation (January 28-29, 2008, Orlando, Florida)

Monrovia, CA, January 09, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Dimitry M. Danilenko, Senior Pathologist of the Department of Pathology at Genentech will give a presentation entitled “IL-22, a Th17 Cytokine, Plays an Important Role in Psoriasis as well as in Mucocutaneous Host Defense” at GTCbio’s 6th Cytokines and Inflammation (January 28-29, 2008, Orlando, Florida.)

IL-22 belongs to the IL-10 family of cytokines, which also includes IL-10, IL-19, IL-20, IL-24 and IL-26. IL-22 is produced by activated CD4+ T cells and regulates proliferation and differentiation of several different epithelia. In a reconstituted human epidermis culture system, IL-22 had pronounced effects on keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, inducing the psoriasis-associated proteins S100A7 and keratin 16, decreasing the epidermal granular cell layer (hypogranulosis), and persistently activating keratinocyte Stat3 with nuclear localization. Recently, IL-23, a cytokine involved in the development of IL-17-producing T helper cells (Th17 cells), has been implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. IL-22 is preferentially produced by Th17 cells, and can be induced by either IL-23 or IL-6. In a mouse ear inflammation model, IL-22 is the primary mediator of the epidermal hyperplasia (acanthosis) induced by IL-23, and this acanthosis is mediated via activation of Stat3 in keratinocytes. These results suggest that IL-22 produced by Th17 cells may have an important role in the pathogenesis of cutaneous inflammatory diseases, such as psoriasis. In addition, there is evidence that IL-22 also has essential functions in host defense in epithelial tissues. In a murine model of infectious colitis with Citrobacter rodentium, infection of IL-22-/- mice resulted in more severe colitis, increased systemic bacterial burden, and greater mortality. IL-22 induced many anti-microbial genes, such as S100 proteins, RegIIIβ and RegIIIγ, from the colon. Together, the results from these studies demonstrate that IL-22, as an effector cytokine from Th17 cells, mediates the crosstalk between the immune system and epithelial tissues, and plays an important role in both cutaneous inflammatory diseases and mucocutaneous host defense.

The conference also features presentations from other leading organizations such as Amgen, AstraZeneca, Biogen Idec, FDA, Merck, NIH, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Roche, Schering Plough, and many more. The full agenda is available online at www.gtcbio.com.

GTCbio’s 6th Cytokines and Inflammation conference will take place on January 28-29, 2008 at the Orlando Metropolitan Resort in Orlando, Florida and will cover Cytokines Signaling and Regulation, Inflammation and Cancer, Technological Developments in Cytokines Biology, Chemokines, and Targeting of Cytokine Receptors.

For more information including a detailed agenda, exhibitor opportunities and registration information visit http://gtcbio.com/userAgenda.aspx?id=115

About GTCbio

GTCbio organizes conferences specifically for the biomedical and biopharmaceutical industries. Our goal is to facilitate the exchange of biopharmaceutical and biomedical intelligence between industry leaders, academic and government organizations, and the financial community.

GTCbio is a subsidiary of Global Technology Community, LLC, a privately held company founded in 2002.

Contact: GTCBIO (626) 256-6405, (626) 256-6460 fax, raniah@gtcbio.com

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