IL-4/IL-13 axis as therapeutic targets in allergic rhinitis and asthma

PeerJ. 2022 May 30:10:e13444. doi: 10.7717/peerj.13444. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common disorder of the upper airway, while asthma is a disease affecting the lower airway and both diseases are usually comorbid. Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 are critical cytokines in the induction of the pathogenic Th2 responses in AR and asthma. Targeting the IL-4/IL-13 axis at various levels of its signaling pathway has emerged as promising targeted therapy in both AR and asthma patient populations. In this review, we discuss the biological characteristics of IL-4 and IL-13, their signaling pathways, and therapeutic antibodies against each cytokine as well as their receptors. In particular, the pleiotropic roles of IL-4 and IL-13 in orchestrating Th2 responses in AR and asthma patients indicate that dual IL-4/IL-13 blockade is a promising therapeutic strategy for both diseases.

Keywords: Allergic rhinitis; Asthma; IL-13; IL-13Rα1; IL-4; IL-4Rα; Therapeutic antibodies.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Asthma* / drug therapy
  • Cytokines
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-13 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-4 / metabolism
  • Rhinitis, Allergic* / drug therapy
  • Th2 Cells

Substances

  • Interleukin-13
  • Interleukin-4
  • Cytokines

Grants and funding

We received funding from the Universiti Sains Malaysia comprising the Research University Grant (1001/PPSP/8012349) awarded to Kah Keng Wong and the Research University Grant (1001.PPSP.8012285) awarded to Noor Suryani Mohd Ashari. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.