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Bernstein ZJ, Shenoy A, Chen A, Heller NM, Spangler JB. Engineering the IL-4/IL-13 axis for targeted immune modulation. Immunol Rev 2023; 320:29-57. [PMID: 37283511 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The structurally and functionally related interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 cytokines play pivotal roles in shaping immune activity. The IL-4/IL-13 axis is best known for its critical role in T helper 2 (Th2) cell-mediated Type 2 inflammation, which protects the host from large multicellular pathogens, such as parasitic helminth worms, and regulates immune responses to allergens. In addition, IL-4 and IL-13 stimulate a wide range of innate and adaptive immune cells, as well as non-hematopoietic cells, to coordinate various functions, including immune regulation, antibody production, and fibrosis. Due to its importance for a broad spectrum of physiological activities, the IL-4/IL-13 network has been targeted through a variety of molecular engineering and synthetic biology approaches to modulate immune behavior and develop novel therapeutics. Here, we review ongoing efforts to manipulate the IL-4/IL-13 axis, including cytokine engineering strategies, formulation of fusion proteins, antagonist development, cell engineering approaches, and biosensor design. We discuss how these strategies have been employed to dissect IL-4 and IL-13 pathways, as well as to discover new immunotherapies targeting allergy, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Looking ahead, emerging bioengineering tools promise to continue advancing fundamental understanding of IL-4/IL-13 biology and enabling researchers to exploit these insights to develop effective interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary J Bernstein
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Anjali Shenoy
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Amy Chen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Nicola M Heller
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jamie B Spangler
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Bloomberg Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Gärtner Y, Bitar L, Zipp F, Vogelaar CF. Interleukin-4 as a therapeutic target. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 242:108348. [PMID: 36657567 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a pleiotropic cytokine mainly known for its role in type 2 immunity. Therapies antagonizing or blocking IL-4 activity have been developed to counteract diseases such as atopic dermatitis and asthma. In contrast, other disorders experimentally benefit from IL-4-related effects and IL-4 recently demonstrated beneficial activity in experimental stroke, spinal cord injury and the animal model of multiple sclerosis. To exploit IL-4-related activity for therapeutic concepts, current experimental efforts include modifying the pathway without inducing type 2 immune response and targeting of the cytokine to specific tissues. Here, we review different activities of IL-4 as well as therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Gärtner
- Department of Neurology, Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN) and Immunotherapy (FZI), Rhine Main Neuroscience Network (rmn(2)), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Lynn Bitar
- Department of Neurology, Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN) and Immunotherapy (FZI), Rhine Main Neuroscience Network (rmn(2)), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Frauke Zipp
- Department of Neurology, Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN) and Immunotherapy (FZI), Rhine Main Neuroscience Network (rmn(2)), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Christina Francisca Vogelaar
- Department of Neurology, Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN) and Immunotherapy (FZI), Rhine Main Neuroscience Network (rmn(2)), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
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Shnayder NA, Ashhotov AV, Trefilova VV, Nurgaliev ZA, Novitsky MA, Vaiman EE, Petrova MM, Nasyrova RF. Cytokine Imbalance as a Biomarker of Intervertebral Disk Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032360. [PMID: 36768679 PMCID: PMC9917299 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The intervertebral disk degeneration (IDD) and its associated conditions are an important problem in modern medicine. The onset of IDD may be in childhood and adolescence in patients with a genetic predisposition. IDD progresses with age, leading to spondylosis, spondylarthrosis, intervertebral disk herniation, and spinal stenosis. The purpose of this review is an attempt to summarize the data characterizing the patterns of production of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in IDD and to appreciate the prognostic value of cytokine imbalance as its biomarker. This narrative review demonstrates that the problem of evaluating the contribution of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines to the maintenance or alteration of cytokine balance may be a new key to unlocking the mystery of IDD development and new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of IDD in the setting of acute and chronic inflammation. The presented data support the hypothesis that cytokine imbalance is one of the most important biomarkers of IDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia A. Shnayder
- Institute of Personalized Psychiatry and Neurology, Shared Core Facilities, V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology, 192019 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Shared Core Facilities “Molecular and Cell Technologies”, V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
- Correspondence: (N.A.S.); (R.F.N.); Tel.: +7-(812)-620-0220-7813 (N.A.S. & R.F.N.)
| | - Azamat V. Ashhotov
- Institute of Personalized Psychiatry and Neurology, Shared Core Facilities, V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology, 192019 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Zaitun A. Nurgaliev
- Institute of Personalized Psychiatry and Neurology, Shared Core Facilities, V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology, 192019 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Elena E. Vaiman
- Institute of Personalized Psychiatry and Neurology, Shared Core Facilities, V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology, 192019 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Marina M. Petrova
- Shared Core Facilities “Molecular and Cell Technologies”, V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - Regina F. Nasyrova
- Institute of Personalized Psychiatry and Neurology, Shared Core Facilities, V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology, 192019 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Correspondence: (N.A.S.); (R.F.N.); Tel.: +7-(812)-620-0220-7813 (N.A.S. & R.F.N.)
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Jankovic D, Kullberg MC, Noben-Trauth N, Caspar P, Ward JM, Cheever AW, Paul WE, Sher A. Schistosome-Infected IL-4 Receptor Knockout (KO) Mice, in Contrast to IL-4 KO Mice, Fail to Develop Granulomatous Pathology While Maintaining the Same Lymphokine Expression Profile. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 1999. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.163.1.337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Th2 lymphocytes have been postulated to play a major role in the immunopathology induced by Schistosoma mansoni infection. Nevertheless, infected IL-4 knockout (KO) and wild-type (wt) mice develop egg granulomas comparable in size. To further investigate the function of the Th2 response in egg pathology we studied IL-4Rα-deficient mice, which are nonresponsive to both IL-4 and IL-13. In striking contrast to IL-4 KO animals, infected IL-4Rα KO mice developed only minimal hepatic granulomas and fibrosis despite the presence of CD3+ T cells in the residual egg lesions. Moreover, liver lymphokine mRNA levels in these animals and IL-4 KO mice were equivalent. In addition, infected IL-4Rα-deficient, IL-4-deficient, and wt animals developed similar egg Ag-specific IgG Ab titers, arguing that CD4-dependent Th activity is intact in KO mice. As expected, IFN-γ secretion was strongly up-regulated in mesenteric lymph node cultures from both groups of deficient animals, a change reflected in increased serum IgG2a and IgG2b Ab levels. Surprisingly, Th2 cytokine production in infected IL-4Rα KO mice was not abolished but was only reduced and resembled that previously documented in IL-4 KO animals. This residual Th2 response is likely to explain the ability of IL-4 KO mice to generate egg granulomas, which cannot be formed in IL-4Rα-deficient animals because of their lack of responsiveness to the same cytokine ligands. Taken together, these findings argue that tissue pathology in schistosomiasis requires, in addition to egg-specific CD4+ lymphocytes, a previously unrecognized IL-4Rα+ non-T cell effector population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nancy Noben-Trauth
- †Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Patricia Caspar
- *Immunobiology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, and
| | - Jerrold M. Ward
- ‡Animal Science Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD 21702; and
| | - Allen W. Cheever
- *Immunobiology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, and
- §Biomedical Research Institute, Rockville, MD 20852
| | - William E. Paul
- †Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Alan Sher
- *Immunobiology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, and
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Ryan JJ, McReynolds LJ, Huang H, Nelms K, Paul WE. Characterization of a Mobile Stat6 Activation Motif in the Human IL-4 Receptor. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 1998. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.161.4.1811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
The IL-4R induces proliferation and gene expression through the use of conserved tyrosine residues located in growth and gene regulation domains, respectively. We demonstrate that residues surrounding these conserved tyrosines (juxtatyrosine residues) are essential for the proper activation of the signaling molecules IRS-2 and Stat6, as well as for IL-4-induced gene expression. Further, we found that the IL-4R gene regulation domain (amino acids 557–657) contains a tyrosine-based sequence (EAGYKAF) that can convey Stat6 DNA binding and gene expression activities to a minimally active IL-4R mutant, Δ557. Thus, this tyrosine-based sequence can function as a mobile Stat6 activation cassette. However, mutants bearing this sequence induced CD23 expression much less efficiently than did wild-type IL-4R, requiring 150-fold more IL-4 to reach maximal CD23 expression. Our results indicate the importance of juxtatyrosine residues in IL-4R signaling and argue for an essential role of extended domain structure in the recognition and function of juxtatyrosine sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- John J. Ryan
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Lisa J. McReynolds
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Hua Huang
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Keats Nelms
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - William E. Paul
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
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