Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is an immunoregulatory cytokine produced primarily by activated T-helper 2 (Th2) cells,and also by mast cells and natural killer (NK) cells. The gene encoding it is localized on human chromosome 5q31. Human and murine IL-13 is cross-species reactive. Recombinant human IL-13 is a 12.6kDa protein consisting of 115 amino acid residues.
Interleukin-13 (IL-13) has a role in immune activities against infections and influences the function of various cells taking part in the same. It has been studied to be overexpressed in glioblastoma tumors and cell lines. IL-13 stimulates fibrosis in many infectious diseases. Targeted deletion of IL-13 in mice resulted in impaired T-helper 2 (Th2) cell development and indicated an important role for IL-13 in the expulsion of gastrointestinal parasites. IL-13 exerts anti-inflammatory effects on monocytes and macrophages and it inhibits the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukins-1β, -6 and -8. IL-13 has also been shown to enhance B cell proliferation and to induce isotype switching resulting in increased production of immunoglobulin E (IgE). Blocking of IL-13 activity inhibits the pathophysiology of asthma.
