Impaired IL-13-mediated functions of macrophages in STAT6-deficient mice

J Immunol. 1996 Oct 15;157(8):3220-2.

Abstract

IL-13 shares many biologic responses with IL-4. In contrast to well-characterized IL-4 signaling pathways, which utilize STAT6 and 4PS/IRS2, IL-13 signaling pathways are poorly understood. Recent studies performed with STAT6-deficient mice have demonstrated that STAT6 plays an essential role in IL-4 signaling. In this study, the functions of peritoneal macrophages of STAT6-deficient mice in response to IL-13 were analyzed. In STAT6-deficient mice, neither morphologic changes nor augmentation of MHC class II expression in response to IL-13 was observed. In addition, IL-13 did not decrease the nitric oxide production by activated macrophages. Taken together, these results suggest that the macrophage functions in response to IL-13 were impaired in STAT6-deficient mice, indicating that IL-13 and IL-4 share the signaling pathway via STAT6.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Gene Expression
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / genetics
  • Interleukin-13 / pharmacology*
  • Interleukin-13 / physiology
  • Interleukin-4 / physiology
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / cytology
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / immunology*
  • Macrophages, Peritoneal / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Nitric Oxide / biosynthesis
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / genetics
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor
  • Signal Transduction
  • Trans-Activators / deficiency*
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / immunology

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Interleukin-13
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor
  • Stat6 protein, mouse
  • Trans-Activators
  • Interleukin-4
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase