Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Visualization of IL-22-expressing Lymphocytes Using Reporter Mice
Published on: January 25, 2017
Interleukin-21: a modulator of lymphoid proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation
Warren J Leonard1, Rosanne Spolski
1Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1674, USA. wjl@helix.nih.gov
Abstract:
The interleukin-21 (IL-21)-IL-21-receptor system was discovered in 2000. It was immediately of great interest because of the homology of IL-21 to IL-2, IL-4 and IL-15, and of the IL-21-receptor subunit IL-21R to the beta-subunit of the IL-2 receptor, and because the IL-21 receptor also contains the common cytokine-receptor gamma-chain, the protein that is mutated in X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency. As we discuss, IL-21 has pleiotropic actions, from augmenting the proliferation of T cells and driving the differentiation of B cells into memory cells and terminally differentiated plasma cells to augmenting the activity of natural killer cells. Moreover, it has antitumour activity and might have a role in the development of autoimmunity, so these findings have implications for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Related Concept Videos
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
B Cell Activation and Differentiation
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Lymphoid Cells and Tissues
Lymphoid cells consist of various types of immune system cells. These include B and T lymphocytes, which are responsible for producing antibodies and killing infected cells, respectively. Dendritic cells act as messengers between the innate and adaptive...
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
Abnormal Proliferation

