IL-21–producing Th cells in immunity and autoimmunity

SM Liu, C King - The Journal of Immunology, 2013 - journals.aai.org
The Journal of Immunology, 2013journals.aai.org
IL-21 is a member of the common γ-chain signaling family of cytokines. Analyses of the
behavior of immune cells in response to IL-21 in vitro and studies of mice deficient in IL-21
or its receptor indicate that IL-21 has a role in lymphocyte activation, proliferation,
differentiation, and survival. IL-21–producing CD4+ Th cells constitute a broad array of
helper subtypes including T follicular helper cells and Th17 cells. Both autocrine and
paracrine utilization of IL-21 contributes to the overall signal transduction pathways of the Ag …
Abstract
IL-21 is a member of the common γ-chain signaling family of cytokines. Analyses of the behavior of immune cells in response to IL-21 in vitro and studies of mice deficient in IL-21 or its receptor indicate that IL-21 has a role in lymphocyte activation, proliferation, differentiation, and survival. IL-21–producing CD4+ Th cells constitute a broad array of helper subtypes including T follicular helper cells and Th17 cells. Both autocrine and paracrine utilization of IL-21 contributes to the overall signal transduction pathways of the Ag receptor to influence the growth and survival of lymphocytes. The redundancy that IL-21 exhibits in lymphoid organs during immune responses is in stark contrast to the evidence that pharmacological neutralization of this cytokine can halt inflammation in nonlymphoid organs where IL-21 becomes the dominant voice.
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