Interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 induce fibronectin production by human lung fibroblasts

Abstract

Background: Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13, which play a role in the production of allergic inflammation, can activate fibroblasts to elicit a variety of cellular functions. However, the effect of IL-4 and IL-13 on fibronectin production by human lung fibroblasts (HLF) has not been determined. In the present study, we examined the effect of IL-4 and IL-13 on fibronectin production by HLF in order to clarify these issues. Methods: We stimulated HLF with various concentrations of IL-4 and IL-13 for 12, 24, 48 and 72 h and fibronectin concentrations in the culture supernatants were determined by ELISA. Results: The results showed that IL-4 and IL-13 induced fibronectin production in a time-and a concentration-dependent manner. Anti-transforming growth factor (TGF)-β 1 antibody (ab) inhibited TGF-β 1induced fibronectin production but not IL-4-and IL-13-induced fibronectin production, indicating that TGF-β 1 is not involved in the IL-4-and IL-13-induced fibronectin production by HLF. Conclusions: These results indicate that IL-4 and IL-13 are capable of inducing fibronectin production by HLF and play an important role in the production of airway remodeling by inducing fibronectin production as well as allergic inflammation.

Deleterious Role of Th9 Cells in Pulmonary Fibrosis

“…Therefore, we co-cultured in vitro differentiated Th9 cells with Th0 cells and found that Th9 cells indeed promoted the differentiation of Th0 cells to Th2 cells. In addition, IL-4 can also promote fibroblast proliferation and activation [10,47]. We then examined the effects of Th9 cells on fibroblasts in vitro and found that Th9 cells promoted collagen secretion.…”