Interleukin-13

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IL13 gene. IL-13 is an immunoregulatory cytokine produced primarily by activated Th2 cells. This cytokine is involved in several stages of B-cell maturation and differentiation. It up-regulates CD23 and MHC class II expression, and promotes IgE isotype switching of B cells. This cytokine down-regulates macrophage activity, thereby inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. This cytokine is found to be critical to the pathogenesis of allergen-induced asthma but operates through mechanisms independent of IgE and eosinophils. This gene, IL3, IL5, IL4, and CSF2, form a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 5q, with this gene particularly close to IL4.

Function

Interleukin-13 is a cytokine secreted by many cell types, but especially T helper type 2 (Th2) cells, that is a mediator of allergic inflammation and disease. In addition to effects on immune cells, IL-13 is pro-fibrotic and pathogenic in fibrosis diseases.

Clinical significance

Interleukin-13 is implicated in a number of disease states associated with inflammation and immune responses including allergic rhinitis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease.

See also

• Interleukin
• Cytokine
• Inflammation
• Immune response
• Allergic rhinitis
• Asthma
• Inflammatory bowel disease

External links

• Interleukin-13 at WikiMD

Interleukin-13 Resources
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