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Interleukin-31, a Potent Pruritus-Inducing Cytokine and Its Role in Inflammatory Disease and in the Tumor Microenvironment

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Tumor Microenvironment

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 1290))

Abstract

Substantial new information has emerged supporting the fundamental role of the cytokine interleukin-31 (IL-31) in the genesis of chronic pruritus in a broad array of clinical conditions. These include inflammatory conditions, such as atopic dermatitis and chronic urticaria, to autoimmune conditions such as dermatomyositis and bullous pemphigoid, to the lymphoproliferative disorders of Hodgkin’s disease and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. IL-31 is produced in greatest quantity by T-helper type 2 (Th2) cells and upon release, interacts with a cascade of other cytokines and chemokines to lead to pruritus and to a proinflammatory environment, particularly within the skin. Antibodies which neutralize IL-31 or which block the IL-31 receptor may reduce or eliminate pruritus and may diminish the manifestations of chronic cutaneous conditions associated with elevated IL-31. The role of IL-31 in these various conditions will be reviewed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Alain H. Rook & Daniel J. Lewis

  2. Clinical Dermatology and Allergy, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Kathryn A. Rook

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  1. Alain H. Rook
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  2. Kathryn A. Rook
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  3. Daniel J. Lewis
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Correspondence to Alain H. Rook .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA

    Alexander Birbrair

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Rook, A.H., Rook, K.A., Lewis, D.J. (2021). Interleukin-31, a Potent Pruritus-Inducing Cytokine and Its Role in Inflammatory Disease and in the Tumor Microenvironment. In: Birbrair, A. (eds) Tumor Microenvironment . Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 1290. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-55617-4_8

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