| First Author | Moroz A | Year | 2004 |
| Journal | J Immunol | Volume | 173 |
| Issue | 2 | Pages | 900-9 |
| PubMed ID | 15240677 | Mgi Jnum | J:91923 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:3051161 | Doi | 10.4049/jimmunol.173.2.900 |
| Citation | Moroz A, et al. (2004) IL-21 enhances and sustains CD8+ T cell responses to achieve durable tumor immunity: comparative evaluation of IL-2, IL-15, and IL-21. J Immunol 173(2):900-9 |
| abstractText | Cytokines that use the common receptor gamma-chain for regulating CD8(+) T cell responses to Ag include IL-2, IL-15, and the recently identified IL-21. The ability of these cytokines to regulate antitumor activity in mice has generated considerable interest in understanding their mode of action. In this study we compare the abilities of IL-2, IL-15, and IL-21 to stimulate immunity against tumors in a syngeneic thymoma model. Durable cures were only achieved in IL-21-treated mice. By monitoring both endogenous and adoptively transferred tumor Ag-specific CD8(+) T cells, it was determined that IL-21 activities overlap with those of IL-2 and IL-15. Similar to IL-2, IL-21 enhanced Ag activation and clonal expansion. However, unlike IL-2 treatment, which induces activation-induced cell death, IL-21 sustained CD8(+) T cell numbers long term as a result of increased survival, an effect often attributed to IL-15. These findings indicate that the mechanisms used by IL-21 to promote CD8(+) T cell responses offer unique opportunities for its use in malignant diseases and infections. |
