Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a pleiotropic cytokine that regulates diverse T and B cell responses including cell proliferation, survival and gene expression. IL-4 is produced by mast cells, T cells, and bone marrow stromal cells. IL-4 regulates the differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells into helper Th2 cells, characterized by their cytokine-secretion profile that includes secretion of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-13, which favor a humoral immune response. Another dominant function of IL-4 is the regulation of immunoglobulin class switching to the IgG1 and IgE isotypes. Excessive IL-4 production by Th2 cells has been associated with elevated IgE production and allergic response.
