Interleukin 13 is a B cell stimulating factor.
The recently cloned human interleukin 13 (IL-13) is a novel cytokine expressed in activated T cells that has been shown to inhibit inflammatory cytokine production by lipopolysaccharide-activated monocytes. The protein encoded by the IL-13 cDNA is the human homologue of a mouse Th2-product called P600. Here, we show that IL-13 acts at different stages of the B cell maturation pathway: (a) it enhances the expression of CD23/Fc epsilon RII and class II MHC antigens on resting B cells; (b) it stimulates B cell proliferation in combination with anti-Ig and anti-CD40 antibodies; and (c) it induces IgE synthesis. Thus, the spectrum of the biological activities of IL-13 on B cells largely overlaps that previously ascribed to IL-4. The present observations suggest that IL-13 may be an important factor, in addition to IL-4, in the development of allergic diseases.
Defrance
T
T
Unité d'Immunologie et Stratégie Vaccinale, Institut Pasteur de Lyon, France.
Carayon
P
P
Billian
G
G
Guillemot
J C
JC
Minty
A
A
Caput
D
D
Ferrara
P
P
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018793:Interleukin-13; D007378:Interleukins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology
D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D018793:Interleukin-13; D007378:Interleukins; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E