Mast cell production and response to IL-4 and IL-13

• IL-4 & IL-13 play a prominent role in stimulating and maintaining allergic response.
• IL-4 was the first cytokine shown to be made by mast cells.
• IL-4Rα is the common IL-4 & IL-13 receptor subunit required for signal transduction.
• Characterization of mouse versus human mast cell responses to IL-4 and IL-13.
• Summary of the positive and negative roles IL-4 & IL-13 play in mast cell immunity.

IL-4 was identified as the first cytokine to be produced by mast cells and is responsible for promoting mast cell IL-13 production. IL-4 and IL-13 play a prominent role in stimulating and maintaining the allergic response. As closely related genes, IL-4 and IL-13 share a common receptor subunit, IL-4Rα, necessary for signaling. Here we summarize the literature on mast cell activation associated with IL-4 and IL-13 production, including downstream signaling. We also describe the positive and negative roles each cytokine plays in mast cell immunity and detail the differences that exist between mouse and human mast cell responses to IL-4 and IL-13.