Induction of 15-lipoxygenase by interleukin-13 in human blood monocytes

15-Lipoxygenase (15-LO) catalyzes hydroperoxidation of fatty acids, a reaction of potential relevance to inflammation, membrane remodeling, and atherosclerosis. In human leukocytes, 15-lipoxygenation of arachidonic acid produces 15-(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and lipoxin A4, which suppress white cell chemotaxis, adherence, and activation, and antagonize proinflammatory leukotrienes. Interleukin (IL)-13, produced by T-helper subset 2 (TH-2) lymphocytes, specifically and potently induced 15-LO gene expression and enzyme activity in human monocytes. Among other TH-2 lymphokines, this induction of 15-LO is shared by IL-4 but not by IL-10. Interferon-γ, a product of TH-1 lymphocytes, blocked IL-13-mediated induction of 15-LO. The induction of the anti-inflammatory 15-LO pathway by IL-13 reveals a new facet of IL-13 biology that supports its role as a cytokine with potential to down-regulate inflammatory pathways. The contrasting effects of interferon-γ and IL-13 on 15-LO induction demonstrate mechanisms by which T-lymphocyte subsets may modulate macrophage/monocyte function in inflammation or atherosclerosis.