Interleukin-13: A promising therapeutic target for autoimmune disease

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) was previously thought to be a redundant presence of IL-4, but in recent years its role in immunity, inflammation, fibrosis, and allergic diseases has become increasingly prominent. IL-13 can regulate several subtypes of T helper (Th) cells and affect their transformation, including Th1, Th2, T17, etc., thus it may play an important role in immune system. Previous studies have revealed that IL-13 is implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc), ulcerative colitis (UC), type 1 diabetes (T1D), sjogren's syndrome (SS), etc. In this review, we will briefly discuss the biological features of IL-13 and summarize recent advances in the role of IL-13 in the development and pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. This information may provide new perspectives and suggestions for the selection of therapeutic targets for autoimmune diseases.