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Dissociation of production of interleukin‐4 and interleukin‐5
Author(s) -
SEWELL WILLIAM A,
MU HONGHUA
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
immunology and cell biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0818-9641
DOI - 10.1038/icb.1996.48
Subject(s) - interleukin 1β , interleukin , dissociation (chemistry) , production (economics) , immunology , medicine , chemistry , cytokine , economics , macroeconomics
Summary Interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) and IL‐5 are cytokines with important roles in IgE production and eosinophilia. Interleukin‐4 is essential for IgE production, and IL‐5 is the major factor involved in the production and activation of eosinophils. These two phenomena commonly occur together in parasitic infestation and allergic disease. Both cytokines are produced by T helper 2 (Th2) and Th0 cells but not by Th1 cells, and in a number of experimental systems IL‐4 is required for the production of IL‐5. This article presents evidence that IL‐4 and IL‐5 are not always co‐ordinately produced. There is evidence for selective production of either IL‐4 or IL‐5 in response to immune stimulation by different adjuvants. Dissociation of production of these two cytokines has also been reported in several pathological situations. An example is intrinsic or non‐atopic asthma, with eosinophilic bronchitis but without elevated IgE production, where there is evidence for excessive production of IL‐5 but not IL‐4. Different microenvironmental factors may favour production of either IL‐4 or IL‐5. For example, IL‐2 stimulates the production of IL‐5 but not IL‐4. Therefore the Th2 model does not account for all immune responses involving IL‐4 or IL‐5. Responses characterized by IL‐4 without IL‐5, and IL‐5 without IL‐4, can also occur.