IL-13
IL-13 (interleukin-13, encoded by the IL13 gene) is a secreted immunoregulatory cytokine that plays important roles in allergic inflammation and the immune response to parasite infection. It is also known by the aliases P600, ALRH and BHR1. Browse Assay Genie's current range of IL-13 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
IL-13 is a cytokine produced primarily by activated Th2 cells. It stimulates B-cell proliferation and activates eosinophils, basophils and mast cells, and it synergises with IL-2 in regulating interferon-gamma synthesis. It also acts on B cells at several stages of maturation and differentiation, up-regulating CD23 and MHC class II expression and promoting IgE isotype switching. In addition, IL-13 antagonises Th1-driven proinflammatory responses and down-regulates synthesis of many proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 and TNF, through a mechanism that partially involves suppression of NF-kappa-B.
IL-13 also acts on nonhematopoietic cells. In endothelial cells it induces VCAM1, which is important for eosinophil recruitment, and in oesophageal epithelium it drives an inflammatory response that disrupts desmosome adhesion junctions through down-regulation of DSG1. It also helps control IL-33 activity by modulating production of the transmembrane and soluble forms of IL1RL1. Signalling runs through a receptor made up of the IL4R chain and the IL13RA1 chain, which activates JAK1 and TYK2 and leads to STAT6 activation. A second receptor, IL13RA2, acts as a high-affinity decoy that mediates internalisation and depletion of extracellular IL-13.
The IL-13 protein belongs to the IL-4/IL-13 family. The IL-13 gene lies in a cytokine gene cluster on chromosome 5q with IL3, IL5, IL4 and CSF2, and sits particularly close to IL4. The cytokine is considered critical to the pathogenesis of allergen-induced asthma, operating through mechanisms independent of IgE and eosinophils. Mouse and rat orthologues are both designated Il13.
IL-13 is critical to the pathogenesis of allergen-induced asthma and plays important roles in allergic inflammation.
Produced mainly by activated Th2 cells, IL-13 antagonises Th1-driven responses and suppresses proinflammatory cytokine synthesis.
IL-13 signals through IL4R and IL13RA1 to activate JAK1, TYK2 and STAT6, with IL13RA2 acting as a decoy receptor.
IL-13 induces inflammation in oesophageal epithelium and down-regulates DSG1, disrupting desmosome junctions between cells.
IL-13 is a secreted cytokine that drives allergic inflammation and the response to parasite infection. It stimulates B cells, eosinophils, basophils and mast cells, promotes IgE class switching, and down-regulates proinflammatory cytokine production by macrophages. It signals through IL4R and IL13RA1 to activate STAT6.
The gene symbol is IL13 and the HGNC name is interleukin 13. Aliases include P600, ALRH and BHR1, along with the legacy clone names MGC116786, MGC116788 and MGC116789. UniProt lists the protein as Interleukin-13, a member of the IL-4/IL-13 family.
Yes, orthologues named Il13 exist in both mouse and rat. Researchers working in rodent models should check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity. Human IL13 lies on chromosome 5q, in a cytokine cluster with IL3, IL5, IL4 and CSF2.
Other interleukins and immune-regulatory cytokines, including Th1 and Th2 pathway partners, with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P35225; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.