| First Author | Kasaian MT | Year | 2002 |
| Journal | Immunity | Volume | 16 |
| Issue | 4 | Pages | 559-69 |
| PubMed ID | 11970879 | Mgi Jnum | J:76043 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:2178456 | Doi | 10.1016/s1074-7613(02)00295-9 |
| Citation | Kasaian MT, et al. (2002) IL-21 Limits NK Cell Responses and Promotes Antigen-Specific T Cell Activation. A Mediator of the Transition from Innate to Adaptive Immunity. Immunity 16(4):559-69 |
| abstractText | IFNalpha/beta, IL-12, and IL-15 regulate NK cell activation and expansion, but signals triggering resolution of the NK response upon induction of adaptive immunity remain to be defined. We now report that IL-21, a product of activated T cells, may serve this function. Mice lacking IL-21R (IL-21R(-/-)) had normal NK cell development but no detectable responses to IL-21. IL-21 enhanced cytotoxic activity and IFNgamma production by activated murine NK cells but did not support their viability, thus limiting their duration of activation. Furthermore, IL-21 blocked IL-15-induced expansion of resting NK cells, thus preventing the initiation of further innate responses. In contrast, IL-21 enhanced the proliferation, IFNgamma production, and cytotoxic function of CD8(+) effector T cells in an allogeneic MLR. These observations suggest that IL-21 promotes the transition between innate and adaptive immunity. |
