| First Author | Dillon SR | Year | 2004 |
| Journal | Nat Immunol | Volume | 5 |
| Issue | 7 | Pages | 752-60 |
| PubMed ID | 15184896 | Mgi Jnum | J:91124 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3045999 | Doi | 10.1038/ni1084 |
| Citation | Dillon SR, et al. (2004) Interleukin 31, a cytokine produced by activated T cells, induces dermatitis in mice. Nat Immunol 5(7):752-60 |
| abstractText | 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 pruritis, 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. |
