title: IL-4 biology: impact on normal and leukemic CLL B cells.
abstract: This review provides a perspective on the role of IL-4 in relation to both normal and leukemic CLL B cells. IL-4 is a well-characterized cytokine known to be produced by normal T cells and have impact on normal B cell differentiation and proliferation. This cytokine and its receptor are now known to exist on CLL B cells. An autocrine pathway for CLL B cells is strongly supported by signaling events, alteration of apoptotic proteins and changes in apoptosis resistance. Based on the increasing knowledge regarding the IL-4 pathway unique opportunities for therapy are now available in B-CLL.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Graduate and Medical Schools, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street S.W., Rochester, MN 55905, USA. kay.neil@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Neil E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Kay
authors.forename: Brian T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Pittner
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4; D015847:Interleukin-4