title: Interleukin-21: a multifunctional regulator of immunity to infections.
abstract: Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is a cytokine that has broad effects on both innate and adaptive immune responses. The roles of IL-21 in determining immunity to infections are currently being defined, and notably, it has been shown that IL-21 is most critical for sustaining T cell responses during chronic viral infections. This article discusses our current understanding of the immunobiology of IL-21, as well as its known and potential roles in influencing immunity to infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 845 19th Street South, BBRB 446; Box 23, Birmingham, AL 35294-2170, USA.
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.forename: Maureen A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Allan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Zajac
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000276:immunology*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D000098546:Interleukin-21
chemical_list: D007378:Interleukins; D000098546:Interleukin-21
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