Human interleukin 4.
Human IL-4 is a mature glycoprotein of 129 amino acids, mostly secreted by activated T cells. It is a pleiotropic cytokine which acts on T and B lymphocytes, monocytes, polymorphonuclears, fibroblasts and endothelial cells. In addition, it acts at various stages of cell differentiation, and its effects are also dependent on the cytokine environment. In particular, IL-4 blocks some of the effects of IL-2 whereas interferon-gamma blocks some of the effects of IL-4. In vitro and in vivo experiments in mouse and in vitro experiments in man have shown that IL-4 plays a crucial role in the induction of IgE production whereas interferons counteract this effect. Human IL-4 binds to a high-affinity receptor which is composed at least of one 130 kDa glycoprotein of 800 amino acids which is a member of the newly described hematopoietin receptor superfamily. IL-4 may prove useful as an anti-tumoral and anti-inflammatory agent.
Banchereau
J
J
Schering-Plough, Laboratory for Immunological Research, Dardilly, France.
Brière
F
F
Galizzi
J P
JP
Miossec
P
P
Rousset
F
F
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000276:immunology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008954:Models, Biological; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen / Q000502:physiology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen; D015847:Interleukin-4