2. Academic Validation
  3. Interleukin 31, a cytokine produced by activated T cells, induces dermatitis in mice

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.
Stacey R Dillon 1,  Cindy Sprecher,  Angela Hammond,  Janine Bilsborough,  Maryland Rosenfeld-Franklin,  Scott R Presnell,  Harald S Haugen,  Mark Maurer,  Brandon Harder,  Janet Johnston,  Susan Bort,  Sherri Mudri,  Joseph L Kuijper,  Tom Bukowski,  Pamela Shea,  Dennis L Dong,  Maria Dasovich,  Francis J Grant,  Luann Lockwood,  Steven D Levin,  Cosette LeCiel,  Kim Waggie,  Heather Day,  Stavros Topouzis,  Janet Kramer,  Rolf Kuestner,  Zhi Chen,  Don Foster,  Julia Parrish-Novak,  Jane A Gross
Affiliations

Affiliation

  • 1 Department of Immunology, ZymoGenetics, 1201 Eastlake Avenue East, Seattle, Washington 98102, USA.
PMID: 15184896 DOI: 10.1038/ni1084
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.

Figures
Products