IL-17 in atopic eczema: linking allergen-specific adaptive and microbial-triggered innate immune response.
Authors: Eyerich K, Pennino D, Scarponi C, Foerster S, Nasorri F, Behrendt H, Ring J, Traidl-Hoffmann C, Albanesi C, Cavani A
J. Allergy Clin. Immunol., 2009;123(1):59-66.e4.
Species: Human
Sample Type: Whole Cells
Application: Flow
A novel small molecule inhibitor of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 reverses immune tolerance in malignant glioma patients.
Authors: Hussain SF, Kong LY, Jordan J, Conrad C, Madden T, Fokt I, Priebe W, Heimberger AB
Cancer Res., 2007;67(20):9630-6.
Species: Human
Sample Type: Whole Cells
Application: Flow
Skewing of cytotoxic activity and chemokine production, but not of chemokine receptor expression, in human type-1/-2 gamma delta T lymphocytes.
Authors: D'Ambrosio D
Eur. J. Immunol., 2002;32(10):2934-43.
Species: Human
Sample Type: Whole Cells
Application: Flow

Interleukin-4 (IL-4), also known as B cell-stimulatory factor-1, is a monomeric, approximately 13-18 kDa Th2 cytokine that shows pleiotropic effects during immune responses (1-3). It is a glycosylated polypeptide that contains three intrachain disulfide bridges and adopts a bundled four alpha -helix structure (4). Human IL-4 is synthesized with a 24 aa signal sequence. Alternate splicing generates an isoform with a 16 aa internal deletion. Mature human IL-4 shares 55%, 39%, and 43% aa sequence identity with bovine, mouse, and rat IL-4, respectively. Human, mouse, and rat IL-4 are species-specific in their activities (5-7). IL-4 exerts its effects through two receptor complexes (8, 9). The type I receptor, which is expressed on hematopoietic cells, is a heterodimer of the ligand binding IL-4 R alpha and the Common gamma  Chain (a shared subunit of the receptors for IL-2, -7, -9, -15, and -21). The type II receptor on non-hematopoietic cells consists of IL-4 R alpha and IL-13 R alpha 1. The type II receptor also transduces IL-13 mediated signals. IL-4 is primarily expressed by Th2-biased CD4⁺ T cells, mast cells, basophils, and eosinophils (1, 2). It promotes cell proliferation, survival, and immunoglobulin class switch to IgG4 and IgE in human B cells, acquisition of the Th2 phenotype by naïve CD4⁺ T cells, priming and chemotaxis of mast cells, eosinophils, and basophils, and the proliferation and activation of epithelial cells (10-13). IL-4 plays a dominant role in the development of allergic inflammation and asthma (12, 14).

1. Benczik, M. and S.L. Gaffen (2004) Immunol. Invest. 33:109.
2. Chomarat, P. and J. Banchereau (1998) Int. Rev. Immunol. 17:1.
3. Yokota, T. et al. (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:5894.
4. Redfield, C. et al. (1991) Biochemistry 30:11029.
5. Ramirez, F. et al. (1988) J. Immunol. Meth. 221:141.
6. Leitenberg, D. and T.L. Feldbush (1988) Cell. Immunol. 111:451.
7. Mosman, T.R. et al. (1987) J. Immunol. 138:1813.
8. Mueller, T.D. et al. (2002) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1592:237.
9. Nelms, K. et al. (1999) Annu. Rev. Immunol. 17:701.
10. Paludan, S.R. (1998) Scand. J. Immunol. 48:459.
11. Corthay, A. (2006) Scand. J. Immunol. 64:93.
12. Ryan, J.J. et al. (2007) Crit. Rev. Immunol. 27:15.
13. Grone, A. (2002) Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 88:1.
14. Rosenberg, H.F. et al. (2007) J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 119:1303.