Details for: IL13

Gene ID: 3596

Gene Type:  Protein-coding  - A gene that serves as a template for producing a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule, which is then translated into a functional protein.

Symbol: IL13

Ensembl ID: ENSG00000169194

Description: interleukin 13

Cell Significance Landscape

Associated with

Significant Cells

Cell Significance Index (CSI) scores for the chosen context(s)

  • granulocyte CL0000094
    CSI 6.25
    rCSI 9.54%
    PRS 99.96
  • basal cell of epidermis CL0002187
    CSI 3.34
    rCSI 5.92%
    PRS 98.67
  • group 2 innate lymphoid cell CL0001069
    CSI 1.72
    rCSI 9.31%
    PRS 100

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this specific cell.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.

Cell ID: Standard Cell Ontology term used for mapping and comparing cells across experiments. Ensures consistency in analyzing cellular functions across tissues.
Fold Change: Represents the ratio of the current Cell Significance Index to the Cell Significance Index Threshold, indicating how much the gene expression has changed compared to a baseline.
Cell Significance Index: Reflects how strongly a gene is expressed in this cell type. Calculated using techniques like effect size estimation and bootstrapping for reliability.
Network Configuration

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  • Node Size: Proportional to Target Cell CSI magnitude
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Other Information

This section provides additional information about the gene, including a description generated by an AI language model and details about associated proteins.

## Summary Interleukin-13, encoded by the [IL13](/details-gene/3596) gene on chromosome 5q31.1, is a pleiotropic cytokine central to the regulation of inflammatory and immune responses. As a key mediator of type 2 immunity, it is involved in processes such as B-cell proliferation, macrophage activation, and the response to parasitic infections. **Overall**, expression data highlights [IL13](/details-gene/3596) as a significant gene in immune cells, particularly [granulocyte](/details-cell/CL0000094) and [group 2 innate lymphoid cell](/details-cell/CL0001069), as well as in structural cells like the [basal cell of epidermis](/details-cell/CL0002187), suggesting multifaceted roles in both host defense and tissue homeostasis. Its function is clinically relevant in the context of allergic diseases, as indicated by its association with atopy ([OMIM:147683](https://omim.org/entry/147683)). ## Cellular Roles and Expression Landscape The expression profile of [IL13](/details-gene/3596) underscores its function as a specialized cytokine primarily associated with the type 2 immune axis. Its high significance in [group 2 innate lymphoid cell](/details-cell/CL0001069) is consistent with this cell type being a major producer of [IL13](/details-gene/3596) upon activation. The high significance score in [granulocyte](/details-cell/CL0000094), which includes cell types like eosinophils and basophils, further solidifies its role in allergic inflammation and defense against helminths. Notably, the significant expression in [basal cell of epidermis](/details-cell/CL0002187) suggests a direct role for [IL13](/details-gene/3596) in modulating epithelial barrier function. This indicates that beyond its canonical immune functions, [IL13](/details-gene/3596) may act as a critical signaling molecule between immune cells and epithelial tissues, potentially influencing tissue repair, mucus production, and the pathophysiology of skin diseases like atopic dermatitis. The available data points to a specialized role for [IL13](/details-gene/3596) within specific immune and epithelial cell lineages. ## Pathways and Molecular Function Functionally, [IL13](/details-gene/3596) operates as a signaling protein with [cytokine activity](/details-go/GO:0005125) and specific binding to the [interleukin-13 receptor](/details-go/GO:0005144). Its biological activities are propagated through the [Interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 signaling](/details-reactome/R-HSA-6785807) pathway, reflecting a well-established functional overlap and shared receptor components with Interleukin-4 ([Link](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8639787)). This shared signaling is a cornerstone of type 2 immune responses. The gene's involvement in a broad array of Gene Ontology terms reflects its pleiotropic nature. It participates centrally in the [immune response](/details-go/GO:0006955) and [inflammatory response](/details-go/GO:0006954). Specific annotated functions include the [positive regulation of B cell proliferation](/details-go/GO:0030890), [positive regulation of immunoglobulin production](/details-go/GO:0002639), and [macrophage activation](/details-go/GO:0042116), processes essential for humoral immunity and tissue remodeling ([Link](https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.90.8.3735)). Furthermore, its roles in regulating epithelial cell differentiation, such as [positive regulation of lung goblet cell differentiation](/details-go/GO:1901251), are consistent with its contributions to allergic airway diseases. The gene also demonstrates regulatory complexity, with annotations for both positive and negative regulation of inflammation (e.g., [negative regulation of inflammatory response](/details-go/GO:0050728)), suggesting it plays a role in both initiating and resolving immune activity. ## Research Directions Based on its expression profile and functional annotations, several research avenues can be proposed to further elucidate the roles of [IL13](/details-gene/3596). **Proposed Hypotheses:** 1. Given the high significance of [IL13](/details-gene/3596) in [basal cell of epidermis](/details-cell/CL0002187) and its known association with atopy, we hypothesize that [IL13](/details-gene/3596), secreted by skin-resident immune cells like ILC2s or mast cells, directly impairs epidermal barrier integrity by altering the differentiation and proliferation programs of basal keratinocytes, thereby contributing to the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. 2. Considering its annotated roles in [macrophage activation](/details-go/GO:0042116) and [response to nematode](/details-go/GO:0009624), we hypothesize that [IL13](/details-gene/3596) is a pivotal cytokine for orchestrating anti-helminth immunity by promoting the alternative activation (M2 polarization) of macrophages, which is critical for parasite encapsulation, expulsion, and subsequent tissue repair. **Experimental Approach:** To test the first hypothesis regarding the impact of [IL13](/details-gene/3596) on epidermal barrier function, a series of *in vitro* and *ex vivo* experiments could be conducted. Primary human keratinocytes could be cultured in an air-liquid interface system to form a stratified epidermis. This model could then be treated with recombinant [IL13](/details-gene/3596) to assess its direct effects on barrier function (measured by transepithelial electrical resistance), keratinocyte differentiation (via expression of markers like keratin 10 and loricrin), and the expression of tight junction proteins. Parallel experiments using skin explants from healthy donors cultured with [IL13](/details-gene/3596) could validate these findings in a more complex tissue context. **Therapeutic Potential:** As a secreted cytokine that is a key driver of type 2 inflammation, [IL13](/details-gene/3596) is a highly attractive therapeutic target. Its central role in the pathophysiology of allergic diseases like asthma and atopic dermatitis makes it suitable for **inhibition**. Therapeutic strategies based on neutralizing monoclonal antibodies that block [IL13](/details-gene/3596) activity have already proven successful in clinical settings. Given its specific association with pathogenic inflammatory pathways rather than general immune surveillance, targeting [IL13](/details-gene/3596) offers a focused approach to mitigating allergic disease with a favorable safety profile.

Genular Protein ID: 3063806696

Symbol: IL13_HUMAN

Name: Interleukin-13

UniProtKB Accession Codes:

P35225 O43644 Q4VB52 Q9UDC7

Database IDs:

ABCD 1 AGR 1 AlphaFoldDB 1 Antibodypedia 1 BMRB 1 Bgee 1 BindingDB 1 BioGRID 1 BioGRID-ORCS 1 BioMuta 1 CCDS 1 CTD 1 ChEMBL 1 ChiTaRS 1 ComplexPortal 3 DIP 1 DMDM 1 DNASU 1 DisGeNET 1 DrugBank 5 DrugCentral 1 EMBL 9 EMDB 1 Ensembl 1 EvolutionaryTrace 1 ExpressionAtlas 1 GO 35 Gene3D 1 GeneCards 1 GeneTree 1 GeneWiki 1 GenomeRNAi 1 GlyCosmos 1 GlyGen 1 HGNC 1 HPA 1 InParanoid 1 IntAct 1 InterPro 4 KEGG 1 MANE-Select 1 MIM 3 MINT 1 MalaCards 1 MassIVE 1 NCBI Taxonomy 1 OpenTargets 1 OrthoDB 1 PANTHER 2 PDB 13 PDBsum 13 PIR 1 PRINTS 1 PRO 1 PROSITE 1 PathwayCommons 1 PaxDb 1 PeptideAtlas 1 Pfam 1 PharmGKB 1 Pharos 1 PhylomeDB 1 Proteomes 1 RNAct 1 Reactome 2 RefSeq 1 SIGNOR 1 SMART 1 SMR 1 STRING 1 SUPFAM 1 SignaLink 1 TreeFam 1 UCSC 1 VEuPathDB 1 eggNOG 1 neXtProt 1

Citations:

PubMed ID: 8096327

Title: Interleukin-13 is a new human lymphokine regulating inflammatory and immune responses.

PubMed ID: 8096327

DOI: 10.1038/362248a0

PubMed ID: 8097324

Title: Interleukin 13, a T-cell-derived cytokine that regulates human monocyte and B-cell function.

PubMed ID: 8097324

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.90.8.3735

PubMed ID: 7721105

Title: Tandem arrangement of human genes for interleukin-4 and interleukin-13: resemblance in their organization.

PubMed ID: 7721105

DOI: 10.1016/0378-1119(94)00720-d

PubMed ID: 8605348

Title: Coexpression of the interleukin-13 and interleukin-4 genes correlates with their physical linkage in the cytokine gene cluster on human chromosome 5q23-31.

PubMed ID: 8605348

PubMed ID: 15372022

Title: The DNA sequence and comparative analysis of human chromosome 5.

PubMed ID: 15372022

DOI: 10.1038/nature02919

PubMed ID: 15489334

Title: The status, quality, and expansion of the NIH full-length cDNA project: the Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC).

PubMed ID: 15489334

DOI: 10.1101/gr.2596504

PubMed ID: 1408833

Title: The selective isolation of novel cDNAs encoded by the regions surrounding the human interleukin 4 and 5 genes.

PubMed ID: 1408833

DOI: 10.1093/nar/20.19.5173

PubMed ID: 7903680

Title: Interleukin 13 is a B cell stimulating factor.

PubMed ID: 7903680

DOI: 10.1084/jem.179.1.135

PubMed ID: 8759755

Title: Activation of human eosinophils by IL-13. Induction of CD69 surface antigen, its relationship to messenger RNA expression, and promotion of cellular viability.

PubMed ID: 8759755

PubMed ID: 9013879

Title: Cloning of the human IL-13R alpha1 chain and reconstitution with the IL4R alpha of a functional IL-4/IL-13 receptor complex.

PubMed ID: 9013879

DOI: 10.1016/s0014-5793(96)01462-7

PubMed ID: 8639787

Title: Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 bind to a shared heterodimeric complex on endothelial cells mediating vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 induction in the absence of the common gamma chain.

PubMed ID: 8639787

PubMed ID: 21622864

Title: IL-13 antibodies influence IL-13 clearance in humans by modulating scavenger activity of IL-13Ralpha2.

PubMed ID: 21622864

DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1100467

PubMed ID: 11419948

Title: Solution structure of human IL-13 and implication for receptor binding.

PubMed ID: 11419948

DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.2001.4764

PubMed ID: 20223216

Title: Molecular basis for shared cytokine recognition revealed in the structure of an unusually high affinity complex between IL-13 and IL-13Ralpha2.

PubMed ID: 20223216

DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2010.01.003

PubMed ID: 10699178

Title: Genetic variants of IL-13 signalling and human asthma and atopy.

PubMed ID: 10699178

DOI: 10.1093/hmg/9.4.549

PubMed ID: 11588017

Title: Identification and association of polymorphisms in the interleukin-13 gene with asthma and atopy in a Dutch population.

PubMed ID: 11588017

DOI: 10.1165/ajrcmb.25.3.4483

PubMed ID: 12928861

Title: A common IL-13 Arg130Gln single nucleotide polymorphism among Chinese atopy patients with allergic rhinitis.

PubMed ID: 12928861

DOI: 10.1007/s00439-003-1001-x

Sequence Information:

  • Length: 146
  • Mass: 15788
  • Checksum: BE2D441CF913D129
  • Sequence:
    • MHPLLNPLLL ALGLMALLLT TVIALTCLGG FASPGPVPPS TALRELIEEL VNITQNQKAP 
LCNGSMVWSI NLTAGMYCAA LESLINVSGC SAIEKTQRML SGFCPHKVSA GQFSSLHVRD 
TKIEVAQFVK DLLLHLKKLF REGQFN