Expression of interleukin-13 receptor alpha 1-subunit on peripheral blood eosinophils is regulated by cytokines.

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is critical for the development of allergic asthma and is involved in the activation of eosinophils within the airways. IL-13 exerts its activity on target cells via the dimeric IL-13 receptor (IL-13R), which comprises the IL-13 receptor alpha1-chain (IL-13Ralpha1) as a specific component. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the IL-13Ralpha1-chain on primary human eosinophilic granulocytes.