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Expression of interleukin‐13 receptor α 1‐subunit on peripheral blood eosinophils is regulated by cytokines
Author(s) -
Myrtek Daniel,
Knoll Mathias,
Matthiesen Timm,
Krause Sebastian,
Lohrmann Jens,
Schillinger Dirk,
Idzko Marco,
Virchow J. Christian,
Friedrich Karlheinz,
Luttmann Werner
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2567.2004.01897.x
Subject(s) - biology , receptor , cytokine , interleukin 13 , interleukin 5 , microbiology and biotechnology , tumor necrosis factor alpha , interleukin , interleukin 4 , receptor expression , interleukin 10 receptor, alpha subunit , flow cytometry , immunology , protein subunit , g alpha subunit , biochemistry , gene
Summary Interleukin‐13 (IL‐13) is critical for the development of allergic asthma and is involved in the activation of eosinophils within the airways. IL‐13 exerts its activity on target cells via the dimeric IL‐13 receptor (IL‐13R), which comprises the IL‐13 receptor α1‐chain (IL‐13Rα1) as a specific component. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the IL‐13Rα1‐chain on primary human eosinophilic granulocytes. Furthermore, it addresses the regulatory influence of cytokines on the level of surface abundance of this receptor subunit. Expression of IL‐13‐ and IL‐4‐receptor subunits in purified primary human eosinophils was monitored at the messenger RNA level by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and at the protein level by flow cytometry. For the analysis of IL‐13Rα1 surface expression, a new monoclonal antibody, which was generated using genetic immunization, was employed. Different cytokines with established activity on eosinophils were studied with regard to their influence on IL‐13Rα1 in vitro by flow cytometry. Whereas IL‐13 and IL‐4 had inhibitory effects on IL‐13Rα1 expression on eosinophils, interferon‐γ, tumour necrosis factor‐α, and, to the largest extent, transforming growth factor‐β, enhanced the expression of this receptor subunit. A positive regulatory response evoked by transforming growth factor‐β and interferon‐γ does not prevent inhibitory effects caused by IL‐13. These findings suggest a regulatory cytokine network influencing the reactivity of eosinophils to IL‐13.