IL-4 and IL-13 are unique cytokines, in that they induce IgE synthesis in B cells and TH2 type differentiation in T cells. Both cytokines exert their biological activities by binding to their functional receptors on target cells. These receptors are thought to be composed as heterodimers, both having the IL-4R alpha chain (IL-4Ralpha) as a component. Among the signal-transducing molecules of IL-4 and IL-13, Stat6, which is activated by these cytokines and recruits to IL-4Ralpha, is essential for the biological activities of these cytokines. Atopy is an inherited tendency, underlying asthma, rhinitis, and eczema, and generating high non-specific IgE and/or high specific IgE against common antigens. Based on information on the molecular mechanism of the signal transduction of IL-4 and IL-13 and on some genetic studies, IL-4Ralpha was assumed to be one gene giving rise to atopy. One polymorphism existing in the IL-4Ralpha gene, Ile50Val, is verified to correlate with atopy by both genetic and functional aspects. On the contrary, the correlation between another polymorphism on the IL-4Ralpha gene, Arg551Gln, and atopy is still controversial. The strategy used in these studies should lead to identification of other genes involved in atopy.

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