Interleukin-21 in T cell-mediated diseases.
Interleukin-21 (IL-21), a cytokine produced by activated CD4+ T cells, activated natural killer T cells, and T follicular cells, has been reported to play a crucial role in the tissue-damaging T cell response in various organs, such as gut, skin, pancreas, and joints. This pathogenic effect is strictly linked to the ability of IL-21 to enhance the functional activities of multiple immune and non-immune cells. Consistently, studies from various laboratories have shown that blockade of IL-21 limits the progression of T cell-mediated inflammatory diseases in mice. Here we review the present knowledge on the expression and role of IL-21 in T cell-mediated pathologies.
Monteleone
Giovanni
G
Internal Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome 00133, Italy.
Sarra
Massimiliano
M
Pallone
Francesco
F
D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007378:Interleukins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000098546:Interleukin-21
D007378:Interleukins; D000098546:Interleukin-21