- Erratum in:
- Nat Immunol. 2005 Jan;6(1):114.
Interleukin 31, a cytokine produced by activated T cells, induces dermatitis in mice.
Dillon SR,
Sprecher C,
Hammond A,
Bilsborough J,
Rosenfeld-Franklin M,
Presnell SR,
Haugen HS,
Maurer M,
Harder B,
Johnston J,
Bort S,
Mudri S,
Kuijper JL,
Bukowski T,
Shea P,
Dong DL,
Dasovich M,
Grant FJ,
Lockwood L,
Levin SD,
LeCiel C,
Waggie K,
Day H,
Topouzis S,
Kramer J,
Kuestner R,
Chen Z,
Foster D,
Parrish-Novak J,
Gross JA.
Department of Immunology, ZymoGenetics, 1201 Eastlake Avenue East, Seattle, Washington 98102, USA.
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.
PMID: 15184896 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]