IL-5 (interleukin-5) is a maturation and differentiation factor for eosinophils. Thus, it is associated with allergy and related disorders.
[1] IL-5 association with its receptor causes activation of MEK/ERK (mitogen activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular-regulated kinase), p38 MAPK (mitogen activated protein kinase) and JAK/STAT (Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription) pathways.
[2]Interleukin-5 is a product of activated T lymphocytes and exhibits activity on eosinophils, B cells and thymocytes. Synonyms or biological activities attributed to IL-5 include: EDF (eosinophil differentiating factor), BCGF-II (B cell growth factor-II), TRF (T cell replacing factor), IgA-EF (IgA enhancing factor) and EO-CSF (eosinophil colony stimulating factor). Natural IL-5 is a 45-50 kDa dimeric glycoprotein, although glycosylation is not required for activity. Human and mouse IL-5 exhibit homology at the nucleotide and amino acid levels and show species cross-reactivity.