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Interleukin-13: central mediator of allergic asthma
M Wills-Karp1, J Luyimbazi, X Xu
1Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. mkarp@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|December 18, 1998
Summary
Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is essential for allergic asthma development. This cytokine triggers asthma
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergy Research
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Allergic asthma incidence, morbidity, and mortality are rising globally.
- CD4(+) T cells producing IL-4 and IL-5 are implicated, but their necessity is unproven.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the critical cytokine in allergic asthma pathogenesis.
- To investigate the role of IL-13 in asthma development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized mouse models to study allergic asthma.
- Assessed the necessity and sufficiency of IL-13 for asthma pathology.
Main Results:
- Interleukin-13 (IL-13) was found to be necessary and sufficient for allergic asthma.
- IL-13 induced asthma features independently of immunoglobulin E and eosinophils.
Conclusions:
- IL-13 plays a critical role in allergen-induced asthma.
- Asthma mechanisms mediated by IL-13 differ from classically implicated allergic pathways.