Description
Mouse Interleukin 4 (IL-4) is produced by activated Th2 cells, mast cells and basophils. IL-4 is a pleiotropic immune regulatory cytokine that promotes growth of human B cells; induces expression of germ line Cε transcripts, directs na?ve B cells to switch to the synthesis of IgE and IgG4, and induces expression of CD23 and ClassII-MHC. In monocytes, IL-4 down-regulates FcγR expression; inhibits synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8; induces monocyte/macrophage fusion and mannose receptor expression. IL-4 inhibits the synthesis of IL-12, nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxigenase-2. The mouse IL-4 cDNA encodes a 119 amino acid residue protein that has a molecular mass of 14 kDa. Mouse IL-4 is species specific. IL-4 binds to a heterodimeric receptor formed by the binding subunit IL-4Rα and the γ chain of IL-2R