Fig. 1: Neutrophil associated IL-36 cytokine processing.
From: The complex roles of IL-36 and IL-38 in cancer: friends or foes?
Pro-IL-36 cytokines are premature when expressed and require post-translational N-terminal truncation to become biologically active. The neutrophil-derived proteases cathepsin G, proteinase 3 and elastase process pro-IL-36α, pro-IL-36β and pro-IL-36γ. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are expelled from neutrophils during NETosis. As they contain the same cathepsin G, proteinase 3 and elastase proteases, NETs can directly activate the premature IL-36 cytokines.
