Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Sci. Signal., 23 December 2008
Vol. 1, Issue 51, p. pe55
[DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.1.51.pe55]

PERSPECTIVES

Untangling the Complex Web of IL-4– and IL-13–Mediated Signaling Pathways

Marsha Wills-Karp1* and Fred D. Finkelman1,2

1 Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
2 Department of Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0555, USA, and Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA.

Abstract: Unraveling the exact signaling events mediating the distinct functions of the T cell–derived cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 has been challenging because they are structurally similar and share a functional signaling receptor chain. A study now proposes a potential molecular mechanism to explain the functional differences between IL-4 and IL-13 that involves the ability of IL-4, but not IL-13, to effectively activate the insulin receptor substrate–2 (IRS-2) signaling cascade through binding to its receptor. A better understanding of the interactions of IL-4 and IL-13 with their cognate receptors may facilitate the development of therapies without unintended side effects.

* Corresponding author. E-mail, wildc7{at}cchmc.org

Citation: M. Wills-Karp, F. D. Finkelman, Untangling the Complex Web of IL-4– and IL-13–Mediated Signaling Pathways. Sci. Signal. 1, pe55 (2008).

Read the Full Text

To Advertise     Find Products

Science Signaling. ISSN 1937-9145 (online), 1945-0877 (print). Pre-2008: Science's STKE. ISSN 1525-8882