Interleukin 21 is a T helper (Th) cell 2 cytokine that specifically inhibits the differentiation of naive Th cells into interferon gamma-producing Th1 cells.
The cytokine potential of developing T helper (Th) cells is directly shaped both positively and negatively by the cytokines expressed by the effector Th cell subsets. Here we find that the recently identified cytokine, interleukin (IL)-21, is preferentially expressed by Th2 cells when compared with Th1 cells generated in vitro and in vivo. Exposure of naive Th precursors to IL-21 inhibits interferon (IFN)-gamma production from developing Th1 cells. The repression of IFN-gamma production is specific in that the expression of other Th1 and Th2 cytokines is unaffected. IL-21 decreases the IL-12 responsiveness of developing Th cells by specifically reducing both signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 protein and mRNA expression. These results suggest that Th2 cell-derived IL-21 regulates the development of IFN-gamma-producing Th1 cells which could serve to amplify a Th2 response.
Wurster
Andrea L
AL
Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Rodgers
Vikki L
VL
Satoskar
Abhay R
AR
Whitters
Matthew J
MJ
Young
Deborah A
DA
Collins
Mary
M
Grusby
Michael J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D000098546:Interleukin-21
D016207:Cytokines; D007378:Interleukins; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D000098546:Interleukin-21