| First Author | Wang L | Year | 2011 |
| Journal | Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A | Volume | 108 |
| Issue | 23 | Pages | 9542-7 |
| PubMed ID | 21593413 | Mgi Jnum | J:173351 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5013892 | Doi | 10.1073/pnas.1018182108 |
| Citation | Wang L, et al. (2011) Key role for IL-21 in experimental autoimmune uveitis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 108(23):9542-7 |
| abstractText | IL-21 is a pleiotropic type 1 cytokine that shares the common cytokine receptor gamma-chain, gamma(c), with IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15. IL-21 is most homologous to IL-2. These cytokines are encoded by adjacent genes, but they are functionally distinct. Whereas IL-2 promotes development of regulatory T cells and confers protection from autoimmune disease, IL-21 promotes differentiation of Th17 cells and is implicated in several autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes and systemic lupus erythematosus. However, the roles of IL-21 and IL-2 in CNS autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and uveitis have been controversial. Here, we generated Il21-mCherry/Il2-emGFP dual-reporter transgenic mice and showed that development of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) correlated with the presence of T cells coexpressing IL-21 and IL-2 into the retina. Furthermore, Il21r(-/-) mice were more resistant to EAU development than wild-type mice, and adoptive transfer of Il21r(-/-) T cells induced much less severe EAU, underscoring the need for IL-21 in the development of this disease and suggesting that blocking IL-21/gamma(c)-signaling pathways may provide a means for controlling CNS auto-inflammatory diseases. |
