Interleukin-21 also known as IL-21 is a protein that in mouse is encoded by the IL21 gene, belongs to the IL-15/IL-21 family. Interleukin-21 is a cytokine that has potent regulatory effects on cells of the immune system, including natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T cells that can destroy virally infected or cancerous cells. This cytokine induces cell division/proliferation in its target cells.
IL-21 is a potent cytokine regulating many cell types of the immune system. IL-21 is produced by activated T follicular helper cells (Tfh), Th17 cells, and NKT cells. Tfh-derived IL-21 plays an important role in the development of humoral immunity through its autocrine effects on the Tfh cell and paracrine effects on immunoglobulin affinity maturation, plasma cell differentiation, and B cell memory responses. IL-21 protein regulates several aspects of T cell function. It co-stimulates the activation, proliferation, and survival of CD8+ T cells and NKT cells and promotes Th17 cell polarization. IL-21 blocks the generation of regulatory T cells and their suppressive effects on CD4+ T cells. In addition to its role in T cell biology, IL-21 also plays a critical role in B cell activation, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. It is also required for the migration of dendritic cells to draining lymph nodes. And IL-21 suppresses cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions by limiting allergen-specific IgE production and mast cell degranulation. In the autoimmune disease Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a link between IL-21 and SLE disease susceptibility and progression was recently reported.
IL21 belongs to the IL-15/IL-21 family. It is a cytokine with immunoregulatory activity. Cytokines are proteinaceous signaling compounds that are major mediators of the immune response. They control many different cellular functions including proliferation, differentiation, and cell survival/apoptosis but are also involved in several pathophysiological processes including viral infections and autoimmune diseases. Cytokines are synthesized under various stimuli by a variety of cells of both the innate (monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells) and adaptive (T-and B-cells) immune systems. IL21 is expressed in activated CD4-positive T-cells but not in CD8-positive T-cells, B-cells, or monocytes. It may promote the transition between innate and adaptive immunity. IL-21 has been tried as a therapy for alleviating allergic responses. It can significantly decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines produced by T cells in addition to decreasing IgE levels in a mouse model for rhinitis (nasal passage inflammation).
IL-21 belongs to the IL-15/IL-21 family. It is a cytokine with immunoregulatory activity. Cytokines are proteinaceous signaling compounds that are major mediators of the immune response. They control many different cellular functions including proliferation, differentiation, and cell survival/apoptosis but are also involved in several pathophysiological processes including viral infections and autoimmune diseases. Cytokines are synthesized under various stimuli by a variety of cells of both the innate (monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells) and adaptive (T-and B-cells) immune systems. IL-21 is expressed in activated CD4-positive T-cells but not in CD8-positive T-cells, B-cells, or monocytes. It may promote the transition between innate and adaptive immunity. IL-21 has been tried as a therapy for alleviating allergic responses. It can significantly decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines produced by T cells in addition to decreasing IgE levels in a mouse model for rhinitis (nasal passage inflammation).
Interleukin-21 receptor, also known as IL-21 receptor, IL-21R, Novel interleukin receptor, IL21R, and NILR, is a single-pass type I membrane protein that belongs to the type I cytokine receptor family and Type 4 subfamily. Interleukin-21 (IL-21) belongs to a family of cytokines that bind to a composite receptor consisting of a private receptor (IL-21R) and the common cytokine receptor gamma chain ( gamma(C) ). The IL-21R is discovered as a novel member of the class-I-cytokine-receptor family and is selectively expressed in lymphoid tissues. IL-21R shows strong sequence homologies to the interleukin-4 receptor alpha chain gene (IL-4RA). The WSXWS motif of IL-21R appears to be necessary for proper protein folding and thereby efficient intracellular transport and cell-surface receptor binding. The box 1 motif of IL-21R is required for JAK interaction and/or activation. The IL-21R is widely distributed on lymphohematopoietic cells and IL21 impacts some cell types, including CD8+ memory T cells, NK cells, and subsets of CD4 memory T cells. Increased IL21 production is characteristic of certain autoimmune diseases and is likely to contribute to autoantibody production as well as pathological features of autoimmune disease. The critical role of IL21 in promoting humoral immune responses makes it an important focus of potential therapeutic interventions in conditions characterized by the overproduction of pathogenic autoantibodies.
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