IL-21: roles in immunopathology and cancer therapy.
Cytokines are secreted signalling molecules with decisive effects on haematopoiesis, innate and adaptive immunity, and immunopathology. Interleukin (IL)-21 is a novel cytokine produced by activated CD4(+) T cells and natural killer T (NKT) cells. IL-21 is part of a family of cytokines which include IL-2, -4, -7, -9 and -15 that all share the common IL-2 receptor gamma chain (gamma(c)) in their individual receptor complexes. IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) is widely expressed on both myeloid and lymphoid cell lineages and IL-21 actions include co-stimulation of B cell differentiation and immunoglobulin (Ig) production, co-mitogen of T cells, and stimulation of NK and CD8(+) T cell cytotoxic function. Initially, IL-21 was recognized for its anti-tumour effects in several preclinical tumour models, warranting its currently ongoing clinical development as a cancer immunotherapeutic. More recently, IL-21 has been associated with the development of a panel of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, where neutralization of IL-21 has been suggested as a potential new therapy. In this review, we will cover the latest discoveries of IL-21 as a cancer therapy and its implications in immunopathologies.
Department of Immunopharmacology, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark. hris@novonordisk.com
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Skak
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D053655:Receptors, Interleukin-21 / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D000098546:Interleukin-21
D007378:Interleukins; D053655:Receptors, Interleukin-21; D000098546:Interleukin-21