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The Role Of Interleukin-4 (il-4) In The Immune Response

The role of interleukin-4 (IL-4) in the immune response

Date : 25/07/2015

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Anant

Uploaded by : Anant
Uploaded on : 25/07/2015
Subject : Chemistry

IL-4 is one of many cytokines and is known as an anti-inflammatory or regulatory cytokine as it causes a down-regulation in the immune response. Naïve CD4+ T cells proliferate and differentiate into two types of activated T cells: Th1 and Th2 cells. The Th2 cells produce an array of interleukins including IL-4.

IL-4 binds to IL-4 receptors found on macrophages which suppress their activation by inhibiting gene transcri ption that depends upon a pro-inflammatory interleukin such as interferon-?.

When IL-4 binds to IL-4 receptors on B cells, a protein kinase enzyme called Janus Kinase (JAK) phosphorylates the receptor, which then attracts Signal Transducer and Activators of Transcri ption (STAT) proteins. These STATs also become phosphorylated and they bind together to form a dimer. The dimers then move into the nucleus and bind to the DNA, which causes transcri ption of genes and the differentiation of B cells (e.g. B-1, B-2, memory and plasma B cells). As a result, antigens are released from the plasma B-cells.

By altering the glycolipid structure, the CD1d-glycolipid complex changes and therefore a selective cytokine response results. For example, IL-4 can be generated by shortening the length of the unsaturated fatty acid chain in ?-GalCer.

So, by selectively generating regulatory cytokines, we are one step closer to combatting autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, lupus and type 1 diabetes.

References: -

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