Cytokine that plays important roles in allergic inflammation and immune response to parasite infection. Synergizes with IL2 in regulating interferon-gamma synthesis. Stimulates B-cell proliferation, and activation of eosinophils, basophils, and mast cells (By similarity). Plays an important role in controlling IL33 activity by modulating the production of transmembrane and soluble forms of interleukin-1 receptor-like 1/IL1RL1 (By similarity). Displays the capacity to antagonize Th1-driven proinflammatory immune response and downregulates synthesis of many proinflammatory cytokines including IL1, IL6, IL10, IL12 and TNF-alpha through a mechanism that partially involves suppression of NF-kappa-B (By similarity). Functions also on nonhematopoietic cells, including endothelial cells where it induces vascular cell adhesion protein 1/VCAM1, which is important in the recruitment of eosinophils. Exerts its biological effects through its receptors which comprises the IL4R chain and the IL13RA1 chain, to activate JAK1 and TYK2, leading to the activation of STAT6. Aside from IL13RA1, another receptor IL13RA2 acts as a high affinity decoy for IL13 and mediates internalization and depletion of extracellular IL13 (By similarity). Interacts with IL13RA2. Belongs to the IL-4/IL-13 family.