Interleukin 21: A key player in lymphocyte maturation
- Author(s)
- Nutt, SL; Brady, J; Hayakawa, Y; Smyth, MJ;
- Details
- Publication Year 2004,Volume 24,Issue #4,Page 239-250
- Journal Title
- CRITICAL REVIEWS IN IMMUNOLOGY
- Publication Type
- Journal Article
- Abstract
- The common gamma chain family of cytokine receptors plays a plethora of roles during the early development, activation, and terminal differentiation of the lymphocyte lineages. The most recently identified member of this family, the IL-21R, is expressed to varying degrees on B, T lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells, whereas IL-21, is reportedly only produced by activated CD4(+)T cells. In keeping with this expression pattern the IL-21:IL-21R interaction is important for the latter stages and function of all three lymphoid lineages. IL-21 is a regulator of B-cell differentiation to plasma cells as well as immunoglobulin class switching. In contrast, within the T-cell lineage, IL-21 acts as a co-stimulator of proliferation, enhances memory response, and modulates homeostasis. Within the innate immune system IL-21 has a role in the terminal differentiation of NK cells. enhancing cytotoxic function while also decreasing cellular viability. These immune maturation and stimulating functions have resulted in IL-21 being tested in a variety of models of immunity. In these contexts, IL-21 ha: shown very promising efficacy in a number of antitumor immune responses mediated by NK and or T lymphocytes.
- Publisher
- BEGELL HOUSE INC
- Keywords
- NATURAL-KILLER-CELLS; COMMON GAMMA-CHAIN; HYDRODYNAMICS-BASED TRANSFECTION; MOUSE NK CELLS; T-CELLS; ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY; IL-21 RECEPTOR; CYTOKINE RECEPTOR; CUTTING EDGE; IFN-GAMMA
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.1615/CritRevImmunol.v24.i4.20
- Terms of Use/Rights Notice
- Refer to copyright notice on published article.
Creation Date: 2004-01-01 12:00:00