Oxidant signaling for interleukin-13 gene expression in lung smooth muscle cells

► Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is expressed in airway and lung vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). ► PDGF promotes IL-13 gene transcription via NAD(P)H oxidase-generated H2O2. ► This oxidant signaling mechanism may involve iron-dependent protein carbonylation. ► This oxidant signaling mechanism occurs upstream of STAT3. ► IL-13 is involved in PDGF-induced growth of airway SMCs, but not lung vascular SMCs.