Growth Factors & Cytokines

IL-13 is an immunoregulatory cytokine produced primarily by activated Th2 cells, and also by mast cells and NK cells.  Targeted deletion of IL-13 in mice resulted in impaired Th2 cell development and indicated an important role for IL-13 in the expulsion of gastrointestinal parasites.  IL-13 exerts anti-inflammatory effects on monocytes and macrophages and it inhibits the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8.  IL-13 has also been shown to enhance B cell proliferation and to induce isotype switching, resulting in increased production of IgE.  Blocking of IL-13 activity inhibits the pathophysiology of asthma.  Human and murine IL-13 are cross-species reactive.  Recombinant Murine IL-13 is a 12.3 kDa protein consisting of 111 amino acid residues.