부산대학교 도서관

Purpose: Interleukin (IL)-13, a Th2-type cytokine, plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of asthma through its direct effects on airway smoothmuscles. A naturally occurring IL-13 polymorphism, R110Q, is strongly associated with increased total serum IgE levels and asthma. In the presentstudy, we aimed to determine whether the IL-13 R110Q variant would display different biochemical properties or altered functions in comparisonwith wild-type (WT) IL-13 in cultured human bronchial smooth muscle cells (hBSMCs). Methods: Culture supernatants and cell proteins were collectedfrom cultured hBSMCs that were treated with 50 ng/mL IL-13 or IL-13 R110Q for 24 h. Eotaxin released into hBSMC culture medium was determinedby ELISA. The expression levels of the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) α-chain, smooth muscle-specific actin alpha chain (α-SMA), smoothmuscle myosin heavy chain (SmMHC), and calreticulin in the cells were measured on Western blots. Results: Compared with WT IL-13, treatmentwith the IL-13 R110Q variant resulted in a significant increase in eotaxin release as well as significant, although modest, increases in the expressionlevels of α-SMA, SmMHC, calreticulin, and FcεRI α-chain. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggenst that the IL-13 R110Q variantmay enhance enhanced functional activities in hBSMCs.