Interleukin-13: central mediator of allergic asthma.
The worldwide incidence, morbidity, and mortality of allergic asthma are increasing. The pathophysiological features of allergic asthma are thought to result from the aberrant expansion of CD4(+) T cells producing the type 2 cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-5, although a necessary role for these cytokines in allergic asthma has not been demonstrable. The type 2 cytokine IL-13, which shares a receptor component and signaling pathways with IL-4, was found to be necessary and sufficient for the expression of allergic asthma. IL-13 induces the pathophysiological features of asthma in a manner that is independent of immunoglobulin E and eosinophils. Thus, IL-13 is critical to allergen-induced asthma but operates through mechanisms other than those that are classically implicated in allergic responses.
Wills-Karp
M
M
Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. mkarp@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu
Luyimbazi
J
J
Xu
X
X
Schofield
B
B
Neben
T Y
TY
Karp
C L
CL
Donaldson
D D
DD
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D004804:Eosinophils; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D053661:Interleukin-13 Receptor alpha1 Subunit; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000502:physiology; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008805:Mice, Inbred A; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000502:physiology; D053660:Receptors, Interleukin-13; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology
D000485:Allergens; C508181:IL13RA1 protein, human; C508183:Il13ra1 protein, mouse; D018793:Interleukin-13; D053661:Interleukin-13 Receptor alpha1 Subunit; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053660:Receptors, Interleukin-13; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010047:Ovalbumin