Background：Cytokine that binds to and signals through the IL1RL1/ST2 receptor which in turn activates NF-kappa-B and MAPK signaling pathways in target cells(PubMed:16286016). Involved in the maturation of Th2 cells inducing the secretion of T-helper type 2-associated cytokines. Also involved in activation of mast cells, basophils, eosinophils and natural killer cells. Acts as a chemoattractant for Th2 cells, and may function as an "alarmin", that amplifies immune responses during tissue injury(PubMed:17853410, PubMed:18836528).
In quiescent endothelia the uncleaved form is constitutively and abundantly expressed, and acts as a chromatin-associated nuclear factor with transcriptional repressor properties, it may sequester nuclear NF-kappaB/RELA, lowering expression of its targets(PubMed:21734074). This form is rapidely lost upon angiogenic or proinflammatory activation(PubMed:18787100).
