IL (interleukin)-4 and IL-13 are key cytokines in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammatory disease. IL-4 and IL-13 share many functional properties as a result of their utilization of a common receptor complex comprising IL-13Rα1 (IL-13 receptor α-chain 1) and IL-4Rα. The second IL-13R (IL-13 receptor) has been identified, namely IL-13Rα2. This has been thought to be a decoy receptor due to its short cytoplasmic tail and its high binding affinity for IL-13 but not IL-4. IL-13Rα2 exists on the cell membrane, intracellularly and in a soluble form. Recent reports revealed that membrane IL-13Rα2 may have some signalling capabilities, and a soluble form of IL-13Rα2 can be generated in the presence of environmental allergens such as DerP. Interestingly, IL-13Rα2 has also been shown to regulate both IL-13 and IL-4 response in primary airway cells, despite the fact that IL-13Rα2 does not bind IL-4. The regulator mechanism is still unclear but the physical association of IL-13Rα2 with IL-4Rα appears to be a key regulatory step. These results suggest that the cytoplasmic tail of IL-13Rα2 may interfere with the association or activation of signalling molecules, such as JAK1 (Janus kinase 1), on IL-4Rα and thus prevents downstream signal cascade. The receptor has more complicated functions than a simple decoy receptor. In this review, we discuss newly revealed functions of IL-13Rα2.
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August 2009
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Conference Article|
July 22 2009
Cytoplasmic tail of IL-13Rα2 regulates IL-4 signal transduction
Allison-Lynn Andrews;
Allison-Lynn Andrews
1
*School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, U.K.
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email ala@soton.ac.uk).
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Ida Karin Nordgren;
Ida Karin Nordgren
†School of Chemistry, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton SO17 1BJ, U.K.
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Isabelle Kirby;
Isabelle Kirby
†School of Chemistry, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton SO17 1BJ, U.K.
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John W. Holloway;
John W. Holloway
*School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, U.K.
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Stephen T. Holgate;
Stephen T. Holgate
*School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, U.K.
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Donna E. Davies;
Donna E. Davies
*School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, U.K.
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Ali Tavassoli
Ali Tavassoli
†School of Chemistry, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton SO17 1BJ, U.K.
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
March 08 2009
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2009 Biochemical Society
2009
Biochem Soc Trans (2009) 37 (4): 873–876.
Article history
Received:
March 08 2009
Citation
Allison-Lynn Andrews, Ida Karin Nordgren, Isabelle Kirby, John W. Holloway, Stephen T. Holgate, Donna E. Davies, Ali Tavassoli; Cytoplasmic tail of IL-13Rα2 regulates IL-4 signal transduction. Biochem Soc Trans 1 August 2009; 37 (4): 873–876. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST0370873
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