title: Interleukin-21 and the IL-21 receptor: novel effectors of NK and T cell responses.
abstract: Interleukin (IL)-21 was recently discovered using a functional cloning approach based on expression of its receptor. It is similar in domain organization and primary sequence to IL-2 and IL-15. Like these cytokines, IL-21 uses the common gamma chain of the IL-2/15 receptor, which forms a heterodimeric receptor complex with IL-21R. IL-21 is produced by activated T cells, and it influences proliferation of T and B cells and cytolytic activity of natural killer cells. The elucidation of the unique biological effects of IL-21 represents an intense area of interest in current cytokine biology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cytokine Biology, ZymoGenetics, Inc., Seattle, Washington 98102, USA.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parrish-Novak
authors.forename: Donald C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Holly
authors.forename: Christopher H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Clegg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D001483:Base Sequence; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D040461:Gene Components; D006801:Humans; D053738:Interleukin-21 Receptor alpha Subunit; D007378:Interleukins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D053655:Receptors, Interleukin-21; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D000098546:Interleukin-21
chemical_list: C508117:IL21R protein, human; C508118:Il21r protein, mouse; D053738:Interleukin-21 Receptor alpha Subunit; D007378:Interleukins; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053655:Receptors, Interleukin-21; D000098546:Interleukin-21