Interleukin 31, a cytokine produced by activated T cells, induces dermatitis in mice.
T cell-derived cytokines are important in the development of an effective immune response, but when dysregulated they can promote disease. Here we identify a four-helix bundle cytokine we have called interleukin 31 (IL-31), which is preferentially produced by T helper type 2 cells. IL-31 signals through a receptor composed of IL-31 receptor A and oncostatin M receptor. Expression of IL-31 receptor A and oncostatin M receptor mRNA was induced in activated monocytes, whereas epithelial cells expressed both mRNAs constitutively. Transgenic mice overexpressing IL-31 developed severe pruritus, alopecia and skin lesions. Furthermore, IL-31 receptor expression was increased in diseased tissues derived from an animal model of airway hypersensitivity. These data indicate that IL-31 may be involved in promoting the dermatitis and epithelial responses that characterize allergic and non-allergic diseases.
Dillon
Stacey R
SR
Department of Immunology, ZymoGenetics, 1201 Eastlake Avenue East, Seattle, Washington 98102, USA.
Sprecher
Cindy
C
Hammond
Angela
A
Bilsborough
Janine
J
Rosenfeld-Franklin
Maryland
M
Presnell
Scott R
SR
Haugen
Harald S
HS
Maurer
Mark
M
Harder
Brandon
B
Johnston
Janet
J
Bort
Susan
S
Mudri
Sherri
S
Kuijper
Joseph L
JL
Bukowski
Tom
T
Shea
Pamela
P
Dong
Dennis L
DL
Dasovich
Maria
M
Grant
Francis J
FJ
Lockwood
Luann
L
Levin
Steven D
SD
LeCiel
Cosette
C
Waggie
Kim
K
Day
Heather
H
Topouzis
Stavros
S
Kramer
Janet
J
Kuestner
Rolf
R
Chen
Zhi
Z
Foster
Don
D
Parrish-Novak
Julia
J
Gross
Jane A
JA
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D017353:Gene Deletion; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D007378:Interleukins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine / Q000235:genetics; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053677:Receptors, Oncostatin M; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019076:Transgenes / Q000235:genetics; D015854:Up-Regulation
C488159:Il31ra protein, mouse; D007378:Interleukins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053677:Receptors, Oncostatin M