IL31RA

Interleukin-31 receptor alpha (IL-31RA, also called GPL or GLM-R) is the private ligand-binding subunit of the functional IL-31 receptor, pairing with oncostatin M receptor beta (OSMRβ) to form the heterodimeric complex for the pruritogenic cytokine IL-31. IL-31RA is a class I cytokine receptor with an N-terminal Ig-like domain, a cytokine-binding homology region including the WSXWS motif, and a cytoplasmic tail containing box 1 and STAT-docking tyrosines that recruit JAK1 and activate STAT3/STAT5, ERK1/2 and PI3K. Notably, IL-31RA is expressed by sensory neurons of dorsal root ganglia, keratinocytes, epithelial cells and eosinophils, but not resting lymphocytes, conferring tissue-specific responsiveness focused on skin and mucosa. IL-31RA expression is upregulated in atopic dermatitis lesions. Engagement of the receptor mediates neuroimmune communication, inducing pruritus, epidermal acanthosis and barrier disruption; genetic IL31RA variants are linked to eczema herpeticum susceptibility.