Interleukin-13 (IL-13)-A Pleiotropic Cytokine Involved in Wound Healing and Fibrosis

The liver, as a central metabolic organ, is systemically linked to metabolic-inflammatory diseases. In the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome, inflammatory and metabolic interactions between the intestine, liver, and adipose tissue lead to the progression of hepatic steatosis to metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and consecutive MASH-induced fibrosis. Clinical and animal studies revealed that IL-13 might be protective in the development of MASH through both the preservation of metabolic functions and Th2-polarized inflammation in the liver and the adipose tissue. In contrast, IL-13-associated loss of mucosal gut barrier function and IL-13-associated enhanced hepatic fibrosis may contribute to the progression of MASH. However, there are only a few publications on the effect of IL-13 on metabolic diseases and possible therapies to influence them. In this review article, different aspects of IL-13-associated effects on the liver and metabolic liver diseases, which are partly contradictory, are summarized and discussed on the basis of the recent literature.

Automated summary

The liver is linked to metabolic-inflammatory diseases and plays a role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. IL-13 may have protective effects on the development of metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), but it can also contribute to the progression of MASH through gut barrier dysfunction and enhanced hepatic fibrosis. However, there is limited research on IL-13's effects on metabolic diseases and potential therapies. This review article summarizes and discusses the contradictory aspects of IL-13's effects on the liver and metabolic liver diseases based on recent literature.