Emerging therapeutic targets in allergy: IL-4Rα and Stat6

It has been shown that interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. As IL-4 receptor α chain (IL-4Rα) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (Stat6) are essential molecules for signal transduction by IL-4 and IL-13, it has been reasoned that these molecules are good targets for allergic diseases. Soluble IL-4Rα, mutated IL-4 (IL-4 mutein), IL-4δ2, anti-IL-4Rα antibody and ligand-toxin are listed as reagents to block the binding of IL-4 and/or IL-13 to its receptor, whereas Jak-binding protein (JAB)/Stat-induced Stat inhibitor (SSI)/Suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) and protein inhibitor of activated Stat (PIAS) have the potential to block Stat6 activation. Many low molecular weight compounds for that purpose are currently under study. Investigation and development of these reagents will be beneficial for the treatment of allergic patients in the near future. As allergic diseases are heterogeneous disorders in point of their aetiology and pathological features, combining information about them with a more precise understanding of drug targets will lead to more effective treatments.