Back to your search result

Description

Interleukin-13 (UniProt: P35225, also known as IL-13) is encoded by the IL13 (also known as NC30) gene (Gene ID: 3596) in human. IL-13 is an extracellular/secreted glycoprotein that is synthesized with a signal peptide (aa 1-24), which is subsequently cleaved off to generate the mature form. IL-13 is an immunoregulatory cytokine that is released predominantly by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and by mast cells and eosinophils and regulates the function of human B cells and monocytes. It is closely related to IL-4 in its biological function but, in general, the responses of cells to IL-13 appear to be smaller in magnitude. Both IL-4 and IL-13, independently of each other, are able to induce IgE antibody production. The intracellular site of storage of IL-13 in eosinophils is associated with the crystalloid granules, indicating that IL-13 is a preformed mediator and is released upon stimulation of degranulation. IL-13 signaling is mediated through a shared multi-subunit heterodimeric receptor complex consisting of IL-4R and IL-13R1. This heterodimerization activates STAT6 and most of the biological effects of IL-13 have been linked to STAT6 activation. IL-13 inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines but can up-regulate the synthesis of IL-12 in dendritic cells and macrophages. IL-13 is typically associated with allergic inflammation, including asthma. It induces many features of allergic lung disease, including airway hyperresponsiveness, goblet cell metaplasia, and glycoprotein hypersecretion, which all contribute to airway obstruction. (Ref.: Marone, G., et al (2019). Front. Pharmacol. 10, 1387, Van Der Pouw Kraan, TCTM., et al. (1998). Clin. Exp. Immunol. 111(1): 129-135).