interleukin-4
Last reviewed 01/2018
Interleukin-4 is a T-lymphocyte glycoprotein with a number of effects on:
- B-lymphocytes:
- proliferation
- immunoglobulin production
- increased FcR receptor production
- increased expression of MHC class II
- T-lymphocytes:
- autocrine stimulation of growth
- increased cytotoxic T-cell production
- increased IL-2 receptor expression
- monocytes: increased antigen-presenting ability
- LAK cell induction
- NK cells increased activity
IL-4 has been used experimentally for some malignancies e.g. malignant melanoma.