The role of IL-13 and its receptor in allergy and inflammatory responses.
IL-13 is a cytokine that is produced by different T-cell subsets and dendritic cells. IL-13 shares many biologic activities with IL-4. This is due to the fact that IL-13- and IL-4-receptor complexes share the IL-4-receptor alpha-chain, which is important for signal transduction. T cells do not express functional IL-13 receptors. This is the reason why IL-13, in contrast to IL-4, fails to induce TH2-cell differentiation, one of the hallmarks of the allergic response. However, IL-13 is required for optimal induction of IgE synthesis, particularly in situations in which IL-4 production is low or absent. On the other hand, IL-13 inhibits proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine production in vitro and has potent antiinflammatory activities in vivo. From these observations, it can be concluded that IL-13 is an antiinflammatory cytokine that plays a unique role in the induction and maintenance of IgE production and IgE-mediated allergic responses.
Novartis Research Institute, Vienna, Austria.
J E
JE
de Vries
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D053661:Interleukin-13 Receptor alpha1 Subunit; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000502:physiology*; D053660:Receptors, Interleukin-13; D015398:Signal Transduction
C508181:IL13RA1 protein, human; D018793:Interleukin-13; D053661:Interleukin-13 Receptor alpha1 Subunit; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053660:Receptors, Interleukin-13; D007073:Immunoglobulin E