The protein encoded by this gene is a cytokine that shares sequence similarity with interleukin 17. This cytokine can induce NF-kappaB activation, and stimulate the production of interleukin8. Both this cytokine and interleukin 17B are ligands for the cytokine receptor IL17BR. Studies of a similar gene in mice suggest that this cytokine may be a pro-inflammatory cytokine favoring the Th2-type immune response. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq].