Interleukin-4 receptor type I (IL-4R type I)

The Interleukin-4 receptor type I is a heterodimeric protein complex composed of the IL-4 receptor alpha (IL-4Rα) chain and the common gamma chain (γc) (UniProt: P24394). It is predominantly expressed on the surface of hematopoietic cells, where it functions as a high-affinity receptor for the cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4) (PubMed: 10446161). Binding of IL-4 to this receptor triggers the activation of Janus kinases (JAK1 and JAK3) and the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 6 (STAT6), which are essential for Th2 cell differentiation and B-cell class switching to IgE (StatPearls: NBK541075). This receptor complex is a key driver of Type 2 immune responses, making it a critical mediator in the pathophysiology of allergic asthma, atopic dermatitis, and chronic rhinosinusitis (NIH: PMC7011430). Therapeutic agents like dupilumab target the IL-4Rα subunit of this complex to inhibit the signaling of both IL-4 and IL-13, thereby reducing inflammatory biomarkers and clinical symptoms in patients with Type 2-driven diseases (PubChem: CID 117957064). By blocking the Type I receptor, drugs can effectively modulate the overactive immune response seen in chronic allergic conditions.

Other names

IL-4Rα/γc complexCD124/CD132 complexType I IL-4 receptorInterleukin-4 receptor alpha/common gamma chain complex

Monoclonal antibody antagonism of the IL-4 receptor alpha subunit, which prevents the assembly of the Type I receptor complex and inhibits downstream JAK-STAT signaling pathways.