Requirement for IL-13 independently of IL-4 in experimental asthma.

Grünig, G; Warnock, M; Wakil, A E; Venkayya, R; Brombacher, F; Rennick, D M; Sheppard, D; Mohrs, M et al. · Science · 1998

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

The pathogenesis of asthma reflects, in part, the activity of T cell cytokines. Murine models support participation of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and the IL-4 receptor in asthma. Selective neutralization of IL-13, a cytokine related to IL-4 that also binds to the alpha chain of the IL-4 receptor, ameliorated the asthma phenotype, including airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophil recruitment, and mucus overproduction. Administration of either IL-13 or IL-4 conferred an asthma-like phenotype to nonimmunized T cell-deficient mice by an IL-4 receptor alpha chain-dependent pathway. This pathway may underlie the genetic associations of asthma with both the human 5q31 locus and the IL-4 receptor.

Medical subject headings