title: IL-21 optimizes T cell and humoral responses in the central nervous system during viral encephalitis.
abstract: Acute coronavirus encephalomyelitis is controlled by T cells while humoral responses suppress virus persistence. This study defines the contribution of interleukin (IL)-21, a regulator of T and B cell function, to central nervous system (CNS) immunity. IL-21 receptor deficiency did not affect peripheral T cell activation or trafficking, but dampened granzyme B, gamma interferon and IL-10 expression by CNS T cells and reduced serum and intrathecal humoral responses. Viral control was already lost prior to humoral CNS responses, but demyelination remained comparable. These data demonstrate a critical role of IL-21 in regulating CNS immunity, sustaining viral persistence and preventing mortality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Phares
authors.forename: Krista D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: DiSano
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Hinton
authors.forename: Mihyun
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Allan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Zajac
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Stohlman
authors.forename: Cornelia C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Bergmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D017934:Coronavirus / Q000276:immunology; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018792:Encephalitis, Viral / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D056724:Immunity, Humoral; D007378:Interleukins / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000276:immunology; D000098546:Interleukin-21
chemical_list: D007378:Interleukins; D000098546:Interleukin-21
keywords: CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells; Central nervous system; Inflammation; Interleukin; Neuroimmunology