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Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Visualization of IL-22-expressing Lymphocytes Using Reporter Mice
Published on: January 25, 2017
Targeting interleukin-21 in immune-mediated pathologies.
Massimiliano Sarra1, Francesco Pallone, Thomas T Macdonald
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
Interleukin-21 (IL-21) drives tissue damage by regulating immune cells and non-immune cells. Neutralizing IL-21 shows promise in treating inflammatory diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is a cytokine primarily produced by activated CD4+ T cells.
- IL-21 plays a critical role in immune responses and tissue homeostasis.
- Dysregulation of IL-21 contributes to various immune-mediated pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of IL-21 expression and its function in immune-mediated diseases.
- To highlight the pathogenic mechanisms driven by IL-21.
- To discuss the therapeutic potential of IL-21 neutralization.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on IL-21 in immune-mediated pathologies.
- Analysis of IL-21's effects on various immune and non-immune cells.
- Examination of evidence from preclinical models of inflammatory diseases.
Main Results:
- IL-21 regulates key immune cell functions, including T cell differentiation, B cell activation, and cytotoxic cell activity.
- IL-21 promotes inflammation by inhibiting regulatory T cells and stimulating non-immune cells.
- IL-21 neutralization has demonstrated beneficial effects in mouse models of inflammatory diseases.
Conclusions:
- IL-21 is a significant mediator of tissue damage in immune-mediated pathologies.
- Targeting IL-21 represents a potential therapeutic strategy for inflammatory diseases.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate IL-21's role and therapeutic applications.
