title: Interleukin-21: a new mediator of inflammation in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by excessive production of a variety of autoantibodies and a wide range of clinical manifestations. Pathogenesis of SLE is complex and not fully understood. There is however evidence that B and T cells are critical to the development of disease, and that T cell-derived cytokines are involved in the SLE-associated inflammatory response. One such cytokine seems to be interleukin (IL)-21, the latest identified member of the gamma-chain-related cytokine family. IL-21 has an important role in the control of the growth, survival, differentiation, and function of both T and B cells, and excessive production of IL-21 has been associated with the development of multiple immune-mediated diseases. Here we review data supporting the involvement of IL-21 in the pathogenesis of SLE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University Tor Vergata of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sarra
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Monteleone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D000098546:Interleukin-21
chemical_list: D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D007378:Interleukins; D000098546:Interleukin-21