Cytokine that may play a role in innate and adaptive immune responses. It induces various cytokines such as TNFA/TNF-alpha and IL8. It activates typical cytokine signal pathways of NF-kappa-B and p38 MAPK. Selectively expressed in lymphocytes. Expression is more prominent in immune cells than in non-immune cells. Expression increased after activation of T-cells by mitogens or activation of NK cells by IL2/interleukin-2.