%0 Journal Article
%T Identifying the Roles of Interleukin-13 in Childhood Asthma
%A Kamleshun Ramphul
%J Open Access Library Journal
%V 1
%N 3
%P 1-5
%@ 2333-9721
%D 2014
%I Open Access Library
%R 10.4236/oalib.1100468
%X Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways manifested by
reversible airflow obstruction and airway hyperresponsiveness. While recent
research has mapped several genes as possible factors predisposing to asthma,
interleukin-13 remains one of the most commonly found genes in various
populations. IL-13 is a pleiotropic TH2 cytokine which has been linked to cause
an increase in goblet cell differentiation, activation of fibroblasts,
elevation of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and switching of B cell antibody
from IgM to IgE. The aim of this review is to study and identify the three main
single-nucleotide polymorphisms of IL-13 (IL13 R130Q, IL-13R<i>¦Á</i>1 and IL-13 A2044G) that have been
linked to asthma in children, and to understand their respective roles in the
pathogenesis of this disease.
%K Asthma
%K Interleukin 13
%K Children
%U http://www.oalib.com/paper/3064146