Interleukin-13
Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is a 13kD protein secreted primarily by T helper type 2 (Th2) cells and natural killer cells, mast cells, basophils, and eosinophils. IL-13 plays a central role in the Th2 response and shares many biological activities with IL-4, as they share a common receptor subunit (a subunit). IL-13 receptors (IL-4Ra and two IL-13 binding proteins, IL-13Ra1 and IL-13Ra2) are expressed on human B cells, basophils, eosinophils, mast cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, monocytes, macrophages, respiratory epithelial cells, and smooth muscle cells. The primary functions of IL-13 is to regulate inflammation, mucus production, tissue remodeling, and fibrosis. IL-13 is also essential for host protection against helminth infections. IL-13 is an important therapeutic target for several diseases, including asthma, fibrosis, ulcerative colitis, and other inflammatory diseases in which IL-13 is overproduced. Overproduction of IL-13 drives airway inflammation and bronchial obstruction, a pathogenesis of asthma. IL-13 driven eosinophilic disorder plays a role in atopic dermatitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, and other chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases. IPF patients have elevated levels of IL-13 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and those with rapid progressive disease have enhanced pathway activation of IL-13. Anti-IL-13 therapy (tralokinumab, lebrikizumab) is being actively investigated in asthma, allergic inflammatory diseases, and IPF.
Swiss-Prot Accession Number: P35225
