This gene encodes a hemopoietic cytokine proposed to signal through a heterodimeric receptor complex composed of the thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor and the IL-7R alpha chain. It mainly impacts myeloid cells and induces the release of T cell-attracting chemokines from monocytes and enhances the maturation of CD11c(+) dendritic cells. The protein promotes T helper type 2 (TH2) cell responses that are associated with immunity in various inflammatory diseases, including asthma, allergic inflammation and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The protein is therefore considered a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of such diseases. In addition, the shorter (predominant) isoform is an antimicrobial protein, displaying antibacterial and antifungal activity against B. cereus, E. coli, E. faecalis, S. mitis, S. epidermidis, and C. albicans. Alternative splicing of this gene results in multiple transcript variants.