Regulation of gene expression, growth, and cell survival by IL-4: Contribution of multiple signaling pathways

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Abstract
Interleukin-4 is a cytokine produced by activated T cells, mast cells, and basophils that elicits many important biological responses1 (see Tab 1). These responses range from the regulation of helper T cell differentiation2 and the production of IgE3 to the regulation of the adhesive properties of endothelial cells via VCAM-14. In keeping with these diverse biological effects, high-affinity binding sites for IL-4 (Kd 20 to 300 pM) have been detected on many hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cell types at levels ranging from 50 to 5000 sites per cell5. This review will focus on the discrete signal transduction pathways activated by the IL-4 receptor and the coordination of these individual pathways in the regulation of a final biological outcome.