Interleukin 31, a cytokine produced by activated T cells, induces dermatitis in mice

Nat Immunol. 2004 Jul;5(7):752-60. doi: 10.1038/ni1084. Epub 2004 Jun 6.

Abstract

T cell-derived cytokines are important in the development of an effective immune response, but when dysregulated they can promote disease. Here we identify a four-helix bundle cytokine we have called interleukin 31 (IL-31), which is preferentially produced by T helper type 2 cells. IL-31 signals through a receptor composed of IL-31 receptor A and oncostatin M receptor. Expression of IL-31 receptor A and oncostatin M receptor mRNA was induced in activated monocytes, whereas epithelial cells expressed both mRNAs constitutively. Transgenic mice overexpressing IL-31 developed severe pruritus, alopecia and skin lesions. Furthermore, IL-31 receptor expression was increased in diseased tissues derived from an animal model of airway hypersensitivity. These data indicate that IL-31 may be involved in promoting the dermatitis and epithelial responses that characterize allergic and non-allergic diseases.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Dermatitis / immunology*
  • Dermatitis / pathology*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Hypersensitivity / pathology
  • Infusion Pumps, Implantable
  • Interleukins / chemistry
  • Interleukins / genetics
  • Interleukins / metabolism*
  • Interleukins / pharmacology
  • Lung / immunology
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cytokine / genetics
  • Receptors, Interleukin / chemistry
  • Receptors, Interleukin / genetics
  • Receptors, Interleukin / metabolism
  • Receptors, Oncostatin M
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Transgenes / genetics
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Il31ra protein, mouse
  • Interleukins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Cytokine
  • Receptors, Interleukin
  • Receptors, Oncostatin M

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AY499339
  • GENBANK/AY499340
  • GENBANK/AY499341
  • GENBANK/AY499342
  • GENBANK/AY499343
  • GENBANK/AY509149
  • GENBANK/AY509150
  • GENBANK/AY509151