title: IL-21: an executor of B cell fate.
abstract: IL-21 is a type I cytokine that shares the common receptor gamma-chain with IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15. B cells are one of the lymphoid cell types whose development and function are regulated by IL-21. Depending on the interplay with costimulatory signals and on the developmental stage of a B cell, IL-21 can induce proliferation, differentiation into Ig-producing plasma cells, or apoptosis in both mice and humans. Alone and in combination with Th cell-derived cytokines IL-21 can regulate class switch recombination to IgG, IgA, or IgE isotypes, indicating its important role in shaping the effector function of B cells. This review highlights the role of IL-21 in B cell development, function, and disease and provides some perspectives on the future studies in this area.
authors.affiliation: Division of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Danijela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Konforte
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Simard
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Paige
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000276:immunology*; D053655:Receptors, Interleukin-21 / Q000276:immunology; D000098546:Interleukin-21
chemical_list: D007378:Interleukins; D053655:Receptors, Interleukin-21; D000098546:Interleukin-21