Immunoregulatory properties of IL-13: its potential role in atopic disease.
IL-13 is a relatively novel cytokine produced by activated T cells. IL-13 inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines by activated monocytes, induces B cell proliferation and differentiation, including IgE production, and the expression of certain adhesion molecules on endothelial cells. All these biological properties of IL-13 are shared with IL-4, but in contrast to IL-4, IL-13 does not act on T cells. In this review, the similarities in structure and biological function of IL-13 and IL-4 and the commonalities of their receptors are summarized. The potential role of IL-13 in allergic responses is briefly discussed.
de Vries
J E
JE
Human Immunology and Molecular Biology Department, DNAX Research Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Palo Alto, Calif 94304-1104.
Zurawski
G
G
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000276:immunology
D018793:Interleukin-13; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D015847:Interleukin-4