| First Author | Yi JS | Year | 2009 |
| Journal | Science | Volume | 324 |
| Issue | 5934 | Pages | 1572-6 |
| PubMed ID | 19443735 | Mgi Jnum | J:150002 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3849527 | Doi | 10.1126/science.1175194 |
| Citation | Yi JS, et al. (2009) A vital role for interleukin-21 in the control of a chronic viral infection. Science 324(5934):1572-6 |
| abstractText | Understanding the factors that regulate the induction, quality, and longevity of antiviral T cell responses is essential for devising rational strategies to prevent or combat infections. In this study, we show that interleukin-21 (IL-21), likely produced by CD4+ T cells, directly influences the generation of polyfunctional CD8+ T cells and that the number of CD4+ T cells that produce IL-21 differs markedly between acute and chronic infections. IL-21 regulates the development of CD8+ T cell exhaustion and the ability to contain chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection. Thus, IL-21 serves as a critical helper factor that shapes the functional quality of antiviral CD8+ T cells and is required for viral control. |
