Expression of human carbonyl reductase 3 (CBR3; SDR21C2) is inducible by pro-inflammatory stimuli

► This is the first report on the physiologic role of human carbonyl reductase 3. ► The CBR3 gene is inducible by the pro-inflammatory stimuli TNF-α, IL-1β and LPS. ► According to our results, CBR3 is involved in inflammation. ► The different response of the cells resembles tissue specificity in vivo.