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Visualization of IL-22-expressing Lymphocytes Using Reporter Mice
Published on: January 25, 2017
Interleukin-21: basic biology and implications for cancer and autoimmunity
Rosanne Spolski1, Warren J Leonard
1Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1674, USA. spolskir@nhlbi.nih.gov
Annual Review of Immunology
|October 24, 2007
Summary
Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is a cytokine with dual effects, promoting immune responses and antitumor activity, but also linked to autoimmunity. Understanding IL-21
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is a pleiotropic cytokine produced by NKT and CD4(+) T cells, influencing innate and adaptive immunity.
- IL-21 exhibits diverse functions, including enhancing lymphoid cell proliferation, T cell and NK cell cytotoxicity, and B cell differentiation.
- IL-21 also demonstrates inhibitory effects on dendritic cells and can induce apoptosis in B cells and NK cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the multifaceted roles of Interleukin-21 (IL-21) in immune regulation.
- To explore the mechanisms underlying IL-21's potent antitumor activity and its association with autoimmune diseases.
- To investigate the molecular basis of IL-21 gene expression regulation and signaling pathways.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of IL-21's effects on immune cell proliferation, cytotoxicity, and differentiation.
- Investigation of IL-21's impact on antigen-presenting cell function and apoptosis.
- Examination of IL-21's role in Th17 cell development and regulation.
Main Results:
- IL-21 promotes lymphoid cell proliferation, CD8(+) T cell and NK cell cytotoxicity, and B cell differentiation into plasma cells.
- IL-21 inhibits dendritic cell antigen presentation and can induce apoptosis in B cells and NK cells.
- IL-21 is a critical regulator of Th17 cell development, with its activity modulated by target cell differentiation state and other signaling molecules.
Conclusions:
- Interleukin-21 (IL-21) possesses both immunostimulatory and inhibitory functions, contributing to antitumor responses and autoimmune disease development.
- IL-21 transcription is regulated by calcium signaling and NFAT sites, and its signaling requires Stat3.
- A comprehensive understanding of IL-21's biological actions, mechanisms, and regulatory pathways is crucial for therapeutic applications.
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