0000000000447549
AUTHOR
Allison-lynn Andrews
IL-13 receptor α 2: A regulator of IL-13 and IL-4 signal transduction in primary human fibroblasts
Background IL-13 and IL-4 share many functional properties as a result of their use of a common receptor complex comprising IL-13 receptor α 1 (IL-13Rα1) and IL-4 receptor α (IL-4Rα). The nonsignaling receptor IL-13 receptor α 2 (IL-13Rα2) binds IL-13 with high affinity and specificity and is believed to be a decoy receptor for IL-13. Objective We sought to examine the inhibitory effects of soluble and membrane-bound IL-13Rα2 on IL-13– and IL-4–mediated effects. Methods Primary human fibroblasts were grown from endobronchial biopsy specimens obtained from volunteers. Upregulation of IL-13Rα2 mRNA was measured by means of RT-PCR, and the level of surface expression was measured by means of F…
Effect of IL-13 receptor α2 levels on the biological activity of IL-13 variant R110Q
Background IL-13 is a key cytokine associated with the asthmatic phenotype. IL-13 signals via its cognate receptor, a complex of IL-13 receptor (IL-13R) α 1 chain with IL-4 receptor α; however, a second protein, IL-13Rα2, also binds IL-13. Recently a polymorphic variant of IL-13 (R110Q) has been shown to be associated with atopy. Objective To investigate the binding properties of this IL-13 variant to its cognate receptors. Methods We used surface plasmon resonance to measure the binding kinetics of R110Q to its receptors. Primary human fibroblasts were grown from endobronchial biopsies obtained from volunteers. Receptor levels were measured by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Results T…