Background: Interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 are important cytokines in allergic diseases such as asthma and atopic dermatitis. We have reported that the production of IL-5 and IL-13 by mite-responsive T helper cells (Th) is controlled under similar signal requirements, but precise mechanisms are not yet well characterized.
Methods: Allergen-specific Th clones were established from peripheral blood lymphocytes of atopic asthmatics, and cytokine synthesis in response to various stimuli was determined by specific ELISAs. IL-13 gene expression was enumerated by quantitative real-time PCR.
Results: IL-13 production was clearly induced by IL-2. IL-13 mRNA expression was also induced.
Conclusion: The IL-2 signal by itself causes IL-13 synthesis independent of T cell receptor stimulation.
Copyright 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.