However, in Th2 cytokine-deficient mice (IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13; single to quadruple knockouts) IL-4 alone can activate all Th2 effector functions even in the combined absence of IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13 [221] and the Th2 pulmonary inflammation is unchanged in IL-9-deficient mice, despite a reduced number of lung mast cells and goblet cells [222]. Here, IL13 is linked to inflammation.