IL-13 attenuates vascular tube formation via JAK2-STAT6 pathway.
BACKGROUND
Interleukin (IL)-13, which is a cytokine produced by type 2 helper T cells, has pathophysiological roles in allergic inflammation and fibrosis formation. IL-13 shares many functional properties with IL-4, which is known to inhibit angiogenesis.


RESULTS
The effects of IL-13 on angiogenesis were examined using human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs), in addition to investigating the mechanism(s) of this action. Using an in vitro assay of angiogenesis it was demonstrated that IL-13, as well as IL-4, significantly inhibited capillary-like tube formation. Migration of HCAECs, considered to be a process of new capillary tube formation, was also significantly inhibited by IL-13. IL-13 activated signal transduction and transcription 6 (STAT6) as a result of the activation of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2). The inhibitory effect of IL-13 on angiogenesis was abolished by depletion of JAK2 and STAT6 by RNA interference.


CONCLUSIONS
IL-13 has anti-angiogenic activity as a result of activation of JAK2 and subsequent activation of STAT6.
Nishimura
Yuki
Y
Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan.
Nitto
Takeaki
T
Inoue
Teruo
T
Node
Koichi
K
D002465:Cell Movement; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D053661:Interleukin-13 Receptor alpha1 Subunit / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D053662:Interleukin-4 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000502:physiology; D053614:Janus Kinase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D010766:Phosphorylation; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000494:pharmacology; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D050800:STAT6 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*
C504000:IL4R protein, human; D018793:Interleukin-13; D053661:Interleukin-13 Receptor alpha1 Subunit; D053662:Interleukin-4 Receptor alpha Subunit; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D019948:Receptors, Interleukin-4; D050800:STAT6 Transcription Factor; C494101:STAT6 protein, human; D015847:Interleukin-4; C507924:JAK2 protein, human; D053614:Janus Kinase 2