title: The potential role of IL-33/ST2 signaling in fibrotic diseases.
abstract: IL-33, a new member of the IL-1F, is widely expressed throughout the body and can be up-regulated by stimulation with proinflammatory factors. It has been identified as a functional ligand for the plasma membrane receptor complex that is a heterodimer consisting of membrane-bound ST2L, which is a member of the IL-1R family, and IL-1RAcP. IL-33 is crucial for the induction of Th2 immune responses. Additionally, under other circumstances, it can also act as an endogenous danger signal. Recently, many studies have demonstrated that IL-33 may be related to the development and progression of fibrotic diseases. It has proinflammatory effects in some fibrotic diseases but has anti-inflammatory effects in others. In this review, the biologic characteristics of IL-33 and the role of the IL-33/ST2 signaling pathway in various fibrotic diseases will be discussed. We hope this overview will provide new insights for the treatment of these diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China.
authors.forename: Qiaoyan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China yanli319@yahoo.com limingcai@nbu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo, China yanli319@yahoo.com limingcai@nbu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Mingcai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D005355:Fibrosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D000072179:Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein; D000067596:Interleukin-33; D007378:Interleukins / Q000502:physiology*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology*; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: C079241:IL1RL1 protein, human; C506536:IL33 protein, human; D000072179:Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein; D000067596:Interleukin-33; D007378:Interleukins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin
keywords: cardiac fibrosis; hepatic fibrosis; pulmonary fibrosis; skin fibrosis