Scientific background: |
IL-13, Interleukin 13, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IL-13 gene. IL-13 is cytokine secreted by many cell types, but especially T helper type 2 (Th2) cells, that is an important mediator of allergic inflammation and disease. The IL-13 gene is mapped to 5q23-q31. IL-13 induces its effects through a multi-subunit receptor that includes the alpha chain of the IL-4 receptor (IL-4Ralpha) and at least one of two known IL-13-specific binding chains. IL-13 acts more prominently as a molecular bridge linking allergic inflammatory cells to the non-immune cells in contact with them, thereby altering physiological function. |
References: |
1.Blackburn, M. R., Lee, C. G., Young, H. W. J., Zhu, Z., Chunn, J. L., Kang, M. J., Banerjee, S. K., Elias, J. A.Adenosine mediates IL-13-induced inflammation and remodeling in the lung and interacts in an IL-13-adenosine amplification pathway.
2.Paul, W. E.Personal Communication.Bethesda, Md. 3/6/1993.
3.Punnonen, J., Aversa, G., Cocks, B. G., McKenzie, A. N. J., Menon, S., Zurawski, G., de Waal Malefyt, R., de Vries, J. E.Interleukin 13 induces interleukin 4-independent IgG4 and IgE synthesis and CD23 expression by human B cells.Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 90: 3730-3734, 1993.
|