IL-4 promotes the formation of multinucleated giant cells from macrophage precursors by a STAT6-dependent, homotypic mechanism: contribution of E-cadherin.

Multinucleated giant cells (MNG) are central players in the inflammatory response to foreign materials and in adverse responses to implants. IL-4 promotes the formation of MNG from bone marrow-derived precursors in vitro and participates in the development of the foreign body reaction in vivo. Therefore, we investigated the mechanism by which IL-4 promotes formation of MNG and engulfment of foreign bodies.