Homodimerization of the human interleukin 4 receptor α chain induces Cɛ germline transcripts in B cells in the absence of the interleukin 2 receptor γ chain

The cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 play a critical role in inducing Cɛ germline transcripts and IgE isotype switching in human B cells. The IL-4 receptor (IL-4R) in B cells is composed of two chains, the IL-4-binding IL-4Rα chain, which is shared with the IL-13R, and the IL-2Rγ (γc) chain, which is shared with IL-7R, IL-9R, and IL-15R. IL-4 induces Cɛ germline transcripts and IgE isotype switching in B cells from patients with γc chain deficiency. Induction of Cɛ germline transcripts by IL-4 in B cells that lack the γc chain may involve signaling via the IL-13R. Alternatively, the IL-4Rα chain may transduce intracellular signals that lead to Cɛ gene transcription independently of its association with other chains. We show that ligand-induced homodimerization of chimeric surface receptors consisting of the extracellular and transmembrane domains of the erythropoietin receptor and of the intracellular domain of IL-4Rα induces Janus kinase 1 (Jak1) activation, STAT6 activation, and Cɛ germline transcripts in human B cell line BJAB. Disruption of the Jak1-binding proline-rich Box1 region of IL-4Rα abolished signaling by this chimeric receptor. Furthermore, B cells transfected with a chimeric CD8α/IL-4Rα receptor, which is expressed on the cell surface as a homodimer, constitutively expressed Cɛ germline transcripts. These results suggest that homodimerization of the IL-4Rα chain is sufficient to transduce Jak1-dependent intracellular signals that lead to IgE isotype switching.