Interleukin-13: A promising therapeutic target for autoimmune disease

Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2019 Feb:45:9-23. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2018.12.001. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Abstract

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) was previously thought to be a redundant presence of IL-4, but in recent years its role in immunity, inflammation, fibrosis, and allergic diseases has become increasingly prominent. IL-13 can regulate several subtypes of T helper (Th) cells and affect their transformation, including Th1, Th2, T17, etc., thus it may play an important role in immune system. Previous studies have revealed that IL-13 is implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc), ulcerative colitis (UC), type 1 diabetes (T1D), sjogren's syndrome (SS), etc. In this review, we will briefly discuss the biological features of IL-13 and summarize recent advances in the role of IL-13 in the development and pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. This information may provide new perspectives and suggestions for the selection of therapeutic targets for autoimmune diseases.

Keywords: Autoimmune diseases; IL-13; Therapeutic target.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / drug therapy
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Interleukin-13 / immunology*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / drug therapy
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / immunology
  • Mice
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology

Substances

  • Interleukin-13