The Yin and Yang of interleukin-21 in allergy, autoimmunity and cancer.
IL-21 is a type I cytokine that like IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15 shares the common cytokine receptor gamma chain, gamma(c). IL-21 is produced by activated CD4(+) T cells, NKT cells, and Th17 cells and has pleiotropic actions on a range of lymphoid lineages. IL-21 regulates immunoglobulin production and drives B cell terminal differentiation into plasma cells, cooperatively expands CD8(+) T cells and drives Th17 differentiation, has inhibitory effects on antigen presentation by dendritic cells, and can be pro-apoptotic for B and NK cells. Moreover, IL-21 has potent anti-tumor effects and is implicated in the development of autoimmune diseases. Regulating IL-21 actions in vivo therefore has clinical potential for a range of diseases and is an area of active investigation.
Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-1674, USA. spolskirj@nhlbi.nih.gov
Rosanne
R
Spolski
Warren J
WJ
Leonard
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D015551:Autoimmunity; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D053655:Receptors, Interleukin-21 / Q000378:metabolism; D000098546:Interleukin-21
D007378:Interleukins; D053655:Receptors, Interleukin-21; D000098546:Interleukin-21