Interleukin-31
IL-31 is a 24 kD cytokine belonging to the IL-6 cytokine family.
It is secreted by activated T cells, and memory T cells with capacity to produce IL-31 have been shown to be particularly abundant in the skin where they may contribute to inflammation. The receptor for IL-31 is found on e.g. keratinocytes, endothelial cells and can be upregulated on activated monocytes.
IL-31 is considered as a Th2 type cytokine but with different functions than IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13. In transgenic mice overexpressing IL-31, the cytokine induces pruritus and dermatitis resembling human atopic dermatitis (AD). In human, IL-31 has been associated with AD, atopic and contact allergies and airway hypersensitivity but also inflammatory bowel disease.
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