Therapeutic Targeting of IL-11 for Chronic Lung Disease

Rosa K Kortekaas; Janette K Burgess; Roël van Orsoy; David Lamb; Megan Webster; Reinoud Gosens

doi:10.1016/j.tips.2021.01.007

Therapeutic Targeting of IL-11 for Chronic Lung Disease

Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2021 May;42(5):354-366. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.01.007.

Authors

Rosa K Kortekaas¹, Janette K Burgess², Roël van Orsoy¹, David Lamb³, Megan Webster³, Reinoud Gosens⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
² Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Biology and Pathology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
³ Department of Immunology and Respiratory Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany.
⁴ Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: r.gosens@rug.nl.

PMID: 33612289
DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.01.007

Abstract

Interleukin (IL)-11 was originally recognized as an immunomodulatory and hematopoiesis-inducing cytokine. However, although IL-11 is typically not found in healthy individuals, it is now becoming evident that IL-11 may play a role in diverse pulmonary conditions, including IPF, asthma, and lung cancer. Additionally, experimental strategies targeting IL-11, such as humanized antibodies, have recently been developed, revealing the therapeutic potential of IL-11. Thus, further insight into the underlying mechanisms of IL-11 in lung disease may lead to the ability to interfere with pathological conditions that have a clear need for disease-modifying treatments, such as IPF. In this review, we outline the effects, expression, signaling, and crosstalk of IL-11 and focus on its role in lung disease and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Keywords: IL-11; lung disease; therapeutic perspective.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Asthma* / drug therapy
Humans
Interleukin-11* / immunology
Lung
Lung Diseases* / drug therapy
Lung Neoplasms*
Signal Transduction

Substances

IL11 protein, human
Interleukin-11