Targeting IL-13 as a Host-Directed Therapy Against Ulcerative Colitis

Dr J. Claire Hoving of the Division of Immunology wrote a review entitled “Targeting IL-13 as a Host-Directed Therapy Against Ulcerative Colitis” published in November 2018 in Frontiers Cellular and Infection Microbiology.

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) has been studied in relation to ulcerative colitis and it is believed to be involved in the pathology associated with the disease as well as mediating the inflammatory response.

Researchers believe that targeting IL-13 could be a promising treatment strategy in mitigating ulcerative colitis disease. However, recent clinical trials have shown that blocking the receptor IL-4 receptor-alpha (IL-4Rα), through which IL-13 signals, in ulcerative colitis patients does not protect them from the disease. This leads to questions about the importance of IL-3 as a therapeutic agent.

In her review, Dr Hoving describes the role of IL-13 in ulcerative colitis and the current treatment strategies that target IL-13. She also highlights the potential role of IL-13 signaling independently of IL-4Rα in mediating ulcerative colitis, an important consideration for therapeutic targeting.

Read the paper - Targeting IL-13 as a Host-Directed Therapy Against Ulcerative Colitis

Article by Bonamy Holtak