Abstract
In this study, we examined the role IL-13 receptor alpha 1 (IL-13Rα1) plays in macrophage differentiation and function. The findings indicate that IL-13Rα1 is expressed on the M2 but not on the M1 subset of macrophages and specifically heterodimerizes with the IL-4Rα chain to form a type II receptor, which controls the differentiation and function of these cells. Indeed, BM cells from IL-13Rα1+/+ and IL-13Rα1-/- mice yield equivalent numbers of macrophages when cultured under M2 polarizing conditions. However, IL-13Rα1-/- BM cells yield a much higher number of macrophages than IL-13Rα1+/+ BM cells when the differentiation is carried out under M1-polarizing conditions. Further analyses indicated that macrophages that express IL-13Rα1 also display surface markers associated with an M2 phenotype. In addition, the IL-13Rα1+ macrophages were highly efficient in phagocytizing zymosan bioparticles both in vitro and in vivo, and supported differentiation of naïve T cells to a Th2 phenotype. Finally, when stimulated by IL-13, a cytokine that uses the heteroreceptor, the cells were able to phosphorylate STAT6 efficiently. These previously unrecognized findings indicate that IL-13Rα1 serves as a marker for M2 macrophages and the resulting heteroreceptor influences both their differentiation and function.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 842-855 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | European Journal of Immunology |
Volume | 44 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2014 |
Keywords
- Antigen presentation
- Differentiation
- IL-13 Rα1
- Macrophages
- Phagocytosis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology