Therapeutic Targeting of IL-11 for Chronic Lung Disease

The pleiotropic cytokine interleukin (IL)-11 is emerging as a protein involved in various pathological conditions such as fibrosis and cancer. It is becoming apparent that IL-11 also plays a role in lung diseases, which was most recently discovered in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and its cellular effects in lung pathophysiologies are starting to be revealed. IL-11 can be targeted with inhibitors that can suppress pathological processes associated with lung diseases in animal models, suggesting IL-11 may have potential as a new therapeutic target. Interleukin (IL)-11 was originally recognized as an immunomodulatory and hematopoiesis-inducing cytokine. However, although IL-11 is typically not found in healthy individuals, it is now becoming evident that IL-11 may play a role in diverse pulmonary conditions, including IPF, asthma, and lung cancer. Additionally, experimental strategies targeting IL-11, such as humanized antibodies, have recently been developed, revealing the therapeutic potential of IL-11. Thus, further insight into the underlying mechanisms of IL-11 in lung disease may lead to the ability to interfere with pathological conditions that have a clear need for disease-modifying treatments, such as IPF. In this review, we outline the effects, expression, signaling, and crosstalk of IL-11 and focus on its role in lung disease and its potential as a therapeutic target. Interleukin (IL)-11 was originally recognized as an immunomodulatory and hematopoiesis-inducing cytokine. However, although IL-11 is typically not found in healthy individuals, it is now becoming evident that IL-11 may play a role in diverse pulmonary conditions, including IPF, asthma, and lung cancer. Additionally, experimental strategies targeting IL-11, such as humanized antibodies, have recently been developed, revealing the therapeutic potential of IL-11. Thus, further insight into the underlying mechanisms of IL-11 in lung disease may lead to the ability to interfere with pathological conditions that have a clear need for disease-modifying treatments, such as IPF. In this review, we outline the effects, expression, signaling, and crosstalk of IL-11 and focus on its role in lung disease and its potential as a therapeutic target. a cell produces a cytokine or other factor that binds to receptors on its own cell membrane, allowing the cell to stimulate itself. a state of irreversible cell cycle arrest. The cell does remain metabolically active, but is morphologically and functionally different from non-senescent cells. epithelial–mesenchymal transition. An epithelial cell loses its polarity and converts to a mesenchymal cell–like phenotype with migratory properties. the production of red blood cells. the formation of all types of blood cells and thrombocytes. the formation of megakaryocytes, which are responsible for producing thrombocytes. a protein that has a changed amino acid sequence compared with the wild type. an artificially produced wild-type or modified human or animal protein, usually by micro-organisms. the process of altering biological structures such as the airways or the extracellular matrix. Remodeling is generally a normal process in homeostasis, but excessive remodeling can significantly change the morphology and functionality of tissues. senescence-associated secretory phenotype. This secretome is different from non-senescent cells. Although the SASP is variable between cell types, the SASP is generally proinflammatory and/or profibrotic. the direction of naive CD4+ T cells to subsets of T cells, such as Th1 and Th2 cells. Particular factors, including IL-12 or IL-4, drive polarization to the Th1 or Th2 phenotype, respectively. These T cell subsets have a particular secretome and are associated with different responses. The Th1 phenotype is believed to play a role in phagocyte-mediated immunity and diseases such as Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis, whereas the Th2 phenotype is associated with the humoral immune response and allergic conditions, including asthma and hay fever. the process of forming blood platelets. the switch of a fully differentiated cell type to another cell.