Interleukin 21

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Interleukin 21 (IL-21), is a cytokine that has potent regulatory effects on cells of the immune system, including natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T cells that can destroy virally infected or cancerous cells. ^[1][2] This cytokine induces cell division/proliferation in its target cells. IL-21 elicits its effects on immune cells by interacting with a cell surface receptor known as the interleukin 21 receptor, IL-21R, that is expressed in bone marrow cells and various lymphocytes.

References

1. ^ Parrish-Novak J., S. R. Dillon, et al. Interleukin 21 and its receptor are involved in NK cell expansion and regulation of lymphocyte function. Nature, 2000, Volume 408, pages 57-63.
2. ^ Parrish-Novak J, Foster DC, Holly RD, Clegg CH. Interleukin 21 and IL21 Receptor: Novel effectors of NK and T cell responses. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 2002, Volume 72, pages 856-863.