title: IL-2-induced IL-13 production by allergen-specific human helper T cell clones.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 are important cytokines in allergic diseases such as asthma and atopic dermatitis. We have reported that the production of IL-5 and IL-13 by mite-responsive T helper cells (Th) is controlled under similar signal requirements, but precise mechanisms are not yet well characterized.
  
  
  METHODS
  Allergen-specific Th clones were established from peripheral blood lymphocytes of atopic asthmatics, and cytokine synthesis in response to various stimuli was determined by specific ELISAs. IL-13 gene expression was enumerated by quantitative real-time PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IL-13 production was clearly induced by IL-2. IL-13 mRNA expression was also induced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The IL-2 signal by itself causes IL-13 synthesis independent of T cell receptor stimulation.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology, National Hospital Organization, Sagamihara National Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomomi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
authors.forename: Noriaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Yuichiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kajiyama
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kaminuma
authors.forename: Matsunobu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suko
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mori
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002999:Clone Cells; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D015870:Gene Expression; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D018793:Interleukin-13; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell