Abstract
Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a type I cytokine produced by T cells, mast cells and basophils that mediates a wide variety of biologic functions(1). It acts to control the differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells into TH2 cells (i.e. cells that produce IL-4, IL-13, IL-5 and IL-10). These cells act as efficient helpers for B cell activation, regulate immunoglobulin class switching to IgE and IgG1 (mouse) or IgG4 (human) and oppose many of the tissue damaging effects of autoimmune responses mediated by TH1 cells. IL-4 action on B cells is noted for the induction of germline transcription of the s and γ1 constant region genes in preparation of immunoglobulin class switching. It induces expression of CD23, enhances expression of class II MHC molecules, and regulates B cell expression of Thy1. IL-4 also acts to induce its own receptor and to control the expression of CD30. In addition to this range of gene activation functions, IL-4 also acts as a co-stimulant of B and T cell growth. This is best seen with CD40 ligand, LPS or anti-IgM/IgD in B cells and with phorbol esters in T cells. IL-4 also acts to allow naive T cells to survive in tissue culture presumably by preventing apoptotic cell death.
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Nelms, K., Huang, H., Ryan, J., Keegan, A., Paul, W.E. (1998). Interleukin-4 Receptor Signalling Mechanisms and Their Biological Significance. In: Gupta, S., Sher, A., Ahmed, R. (eds) Mechanisms of Lymphocyte Activation and Immune Regulation VII. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 452. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5355-7_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5355-7_5
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