Interferon-λ: Inters Ferocity or Inter-Ferocities?

[7] . Though the role of IFN-λ in the context of these conditions has been discussed previously [8–10] , much more research is required to completely understand its physiological and pathological impact. Here, the articles by Koch and Finotto [11] , Griffiths et al. [12] , Stiff and Carson [13] and Mihm [14] aim to shed light on the different functions of IFN-λ. Together, these review articles provide a concise, in-depth and state-of-the-art overview that should be of great interest to the readership of the Journal of Innate Immunity. Arne Egesten , Lund Heiko Herwald , Lund One may wonder whether allergic asthma, hepatitis C and cancer have something in common. The answer is obviously yes, as all three conditions can be, in one way or another, modulated by interferon λ (IFN-λ). In this issue of the Journal of Innate Immunity , there are four review articles that address the manifold functions of this fascinating cytokine that has lately attracted much attention (for a review see Zheng et al. [1] ). Like many other inflammatory mediators, the role of interferons in health and disease is tightly regulated [2] , so it is not surprising that inflammatory reactions influence disease progression in the complications mentioned above, namely, allergic reactions [3, 4] , virus infections [5, 6] and cancer Published online: March 24, 2015 Journal of Innate Immunity