As
interleukin (IL)-13 and
IL-4 play a major role in various diseases including
asthma,
allergy, and
malignancies, it is desirable to generate a molecule that blocks the effects of both
cytokines. We previously generated a human
IL-13 mutant (IL-13E13K), which is a powerful antagonist of
IL-13, blocking the
biological activities of
IL-13. We now show that
IL-13E13K also competitively inhibits signaling and
biological activities of
IL-4 through type II and partially through type III
IL-4 receptor (R) system.
IL-13E13K completely blocked the IL-4-induced phosphorylation of STAT6 and IL-4-dependent
protein synthesis in cells expressing type II and partially type III IL-4R but not type I IL- 4R. Consistent with the inhibition of
biological activities,
IL-13E13K inhibited
IL-4 binding to type II IL-4R-expressing cells but not to type I IL-4R-expressing cells. The inhibition efficiency of
IL-4 binding by
IL-13E13K was relatively lower compared to wtIL-13 even though
IL-13E13K bound to
IL-13Ralpha1 positive cells with a similar affinity to wtIL-13. These results indicate that Glu13 in
IL-13 associates with IL-4Ralpha, and mutation to
lysine decreases its binding ability to IL-4Ralpha chain.
IL-13E13K binds to IL- 13Ralpha1, which is shared by both IL-13R and IL-4R systems. Consequently,
IL-13E13K inhibits
IL-4 binding to these cells and prevents heterodimer formation between
IL-13Ralpha1 and IL-4Ralpha chains. This interference by
IL-13E13K blocks the
biological activities of not only
IL-13 but also partially of
IL-4. Thus,
IL-13E13K may be a useful agent for the treatment of diseases such as
asthma,
allergic rhinitis, and
cancer, which are dependent on signaling through both
IL-4 and
IL-13 receptors.