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Hoffmann, R. A wiki for the life sciences where authorship matters. Nature Genetics (2008)
 
 
 
 
 

IL-4 induces characteristic Th2 responses even in the combined absence of IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13.

Functional redundancy is highly prevalent among the Th2 interleukins (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13. To define the critical functions of these cytokines, we have generated a novel panel of compound Th2 cytokine-deficient mice (from single to quadruple cytokine knockouts). We find that these Th2 cytokines are not essential for fetal survival even during allogeneic pregnancy. Using intestinal parasite infection and a pulmonary granuloma model, we demonstrate cryptic roles for IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13 in these responses. Significantly, although IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13 add to the speed and magnitude of the response, a threshold is reached at which IL-4 alone can activate all Th2 effector functions. These mice reveal distinct spatial, temporal, and hierarchical cytokine requirements in immune function.[1]

References

  1. IL-4 induces characteristic Th2 responses even in the combined absence of IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13. Fallon, P.G., Jolin, H.E., Smith, P., Emson, C.L., Townsend, M.J., Fallon, R., Smith, P., McKenzie, A.N. Immunity (2002) [Pubmed]
 
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