Interleukin-13 (IL13), belonging to the T helper 2 (Th2) cytokine family along with IL-4, IL-3, IL-5, and IL-9, is a key mediator of allergic inflammation [1]. It exerts immunomodulatory activities on a wide range of immune and non-immune cells, influencing processes like B-cell immunoglobulin class switching, macrophage polarization, and is involved in various disease-associated pathways such as those related to fibrosis and metaplasia development [1,2,3,4]. Genetic models, especially knockout (KO) mouse models, can be crucial in studying its functions.

In a mouse model of autoimmune gastritis, TxA23×Il4ra-/-mice which do not express the IL4/IL13-receptor subunit IL4Rα, did not progress to metaplasia, while neutralization of IL13 in mice with gastritis significantly reduced and reversed metaplasia development. This shows that IL13, produced by multiple immune cell subsets during chronic gastritis, promotes gastric cancer-associated metaplastic epithelial cell changes [3].

In conclusion, IL13 is a significant cytokine in allergic inflammation and immunomodulation. Through mouse model-based research, its role in promoting metaplasia during chronic gastritis has been revealed. Understanding IL13's functions can potentially lead to new therapeutic strategies for diseases related to inflammation-induced metaplasia and other IL13-associated pathological conditions.

References:

1. Iwaszko, Milena, Biały, Sylwia, Bogunia-Kubik, Katarzyna. 2021. Significance of Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 in Inflammatory Arthritis. In Cells, 10, . doi:10.3390/cells10113000. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34831223/

2. Zhu, Linnan, Zhao, Qingjie, Yang, Tao, Ding, Wenjun, Zhao, Yong. 2014. Cellular metabolism and macrophage functional polarization. In International reviews of immunology, 34, 82-100. doi:10.3109/08830185.2014.969421. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25340307/

3. Noto, Christine N, Hoft, Stella G, Bockerstett, Kevin A, Vest, Luke S, DiPaolo, Richard J. 2021. IL13 Acts Directly on Gastric Epithelial Cells to Promote Metaplasia Development During Chronic Gastritis. In Cellular and molecular gastroenterology and hepatology, 13, 623-642. doi:10.1016/j.jcmgh.2021.09.012. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34587523/

4. Nguyen, Julie K, Austin, Evan, Huang, Alisen, Mamalis, Andrew, Jagdeo, Jared. 2019. The IL-4/IL-13 axis in skin fibrosis and scarring: mechanistic concepts and therapeutic targets. In Archives of dermatological research, 312, 81-92. doi:10.1007/s00403-019-01972-3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31493000/