Interleujin 13: a new cytokin with properties similar to those of interleukin 4

Abstract

Interleukin 13 (IL-13) is a recently discovered cytokine produced by TH2 Iymphocytes. Its most important physiological activity relates with suppression of Inflammatory and cytotoxic functions of monocytes/macrophages. This suggests that this cytokine could be a potent In vivo modulator of the Immune response. In addition, IL-13 shows an important role in the control of B cells immunoreactivity (it up-regulates the expression of CD23, MHC-II and Induces IgE and IgG4 synthesis). The human IL-13 gene is located on chromosome 5q23.31, closely Iinked to genes coding for IL-4 and several immunoregulatory and hematopoyetic growth factors such as IL-3, GM CSF and IL-5. Particularly, IL-13 shares with IL- 4 and IL-10 the ability to suppress the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines Iike IL-1α., IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α., IL-8 and MIP-1 α. by activated human macrophages. These data show the Importance of this cytokine In the Immunoregulation of Inflammatory, allergic and autoimmune processes.