Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is a newly described cytokine, produced by activated CD4+ T cells. Since the discovery in 2000, IL-21 has been the object of intensive research because of its homology to IL-2, IL-4 and IL-15, and its ability to modulate both innate and adaptive immune responses. IL-21 mediates its functions through a heterodimeric receptor, composed of a specific subunit, termed IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) and the common γ-chain, that is shared with IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-13, and IL-15 receptors. IL-21R is originally described on T, B and NK cells, which is in accordance with the cell types that mostly respond to IL-21. Indeed, IL-21 augments the proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and regulates the profile of cytokines secreted by these cells, drives the differentiation of B cells into memory cells and terminally differentiated plasma cells, and moreover, enhances the activity of natural killer cells. More recently, IL-21R has also been documented on non-immune cells, raising the possibility that IL-21 is an important mediator in the cross-talk between immune and non-immune cells. As discussed in this review, the potential role of IL-21 in immune-mediated and allergic diseases would seem to suggest that either disrupting or enhancing IL-21 signaling may be useful in specific clinical settings. © 2007 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.

Fina, D., Fantini, M.c., Pallone, F., Monteleone, G. (2007). Role of interleukin-21 in inflammation and allergy. INFLAMMATION & ALLERGY - DRUG TARGETS, 6(1), 63-68 [10.2174/187152807780077246].

Role of interleukin-21 in inflammation and allergy

FANTINI, MASSIMO CLAUDIO;PALLONE, FRANCESCO;MONTELEONE, GIOVANNI
2007-01-01

Abstract

Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is a newly described cytokine, produced by activated CD4+ T cells. Since the discovery in 2000, IL-21 has been the object of intensive research because of its homology to IL-2, IL-4 and IL-15, and its ability to modulate both innate and adaptive immune responses. IL-21 mediates its functions through a heterodimeric receptor, composed of a specific subunit, termed IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) and the common γ-chain, that is shared with IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-13, and IL-15 receptors. IL-21R is originally described on T, B and NK cells, which is in accordance with the cell types that mostly respond to IL-21. Indeed, IL-21 augments the proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and regulates the profile of cytokines secreted by these cells, drives the differentiation of B cells into memory cells and terminally differentiated plasma cells, and moreover, enhances the activity of natural killer cells. More recently, IL-21R has also been documented on non-immune cells, raising the possibility that IL-21 is an important mediator in the cross-talk between immune and non-immune cells. As discussed in this review, the potential role of IL-21 in immune-mediated and allergic diseases would seem to suggest that either disrupting or enhancing IL-21 signaling may be useful in specific clinical settings. © 2007 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
2007
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Sì, ma tipo non specificato
Settore MED/12 - GASTROENTEROLOGIA
English
Common-γ chain; Cytokines; IBD; IL-21; IL-21R
Fina, D., Fantini, M.c., Pallone, F., Monteleone, G. (2007). Role of interleukin-21 in inflammation and allergy. INFLAMMATION & ALLERGY - DRUG TARGETS, 6(1), 63-68 [10.2174/187152807780077246].
Fina, D; Fantini, Mc; Pallone, F; Monteleone, G
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/28277
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