title: [Roles of interleukin-21 and its receptor in autoimmune diseases].
abstract: Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is a new member of the interleukin-2 family. It is mainly synthesized and secreted by the activated of CD4(+) T cells and natural killer T cells. IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) is mainly expressed in T cells, B cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. After binding to its receptor, IL-21 can regulate the activation and proliferation of T cells, B cells, and NK cells through activating JAKs-STATs signaling pathways. As a new immunoregulatory factor, IL-21 and its receptor play important roles in the development and progression of various autoimmune diseases. Regulation of the expression levels of IL-21 and IL-21R and blocking of their signal transduction pathways with blockers may be new treatment options for autoimmune diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of pediatric Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan 250021, China. hanbo35@163.com.
authors.forename: De-Juan
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007378:Interleukins / Q000502:physiology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D053655:Receptors, Interleukin-21 / Q000502:physiology*; D000098546:Interleukin-21
chemical_list: D007378:Interleukins; D053655:Receptors, Interleukin-21; D000098546:Interleukin-21