IL-21——一种新的免疫系统调节因子

IL-21是于2000年发现的属于IL-2细胞因子家族的新成员.它同该家族其它成员(IL-2、IL-4、IL-7、IL-9、IL-13和IL-15)共用一个受体亚单位γc.IL-21由活化的CD4+T辅助细胞产生的,其受体表达在多种免疫细胞(B、T、NK细胞)上,因此对多种免疫细胞有重要的生物调节作用.IL-21能提高B淋巴细胞的增殖,提高IgG1的产生,抑制IgE的产生,从而调节人体体液免疫.IL-21还可增强NK细胞、T淋巴细胞的增殖与杀伤功能,从而增强人体的细胞免疫.作为最新的免疫系统调节因子,IL-21在免疫调节、抗肿瘤中的作用越来越受到研究者的重视,已成为该领域的研究热点.

Interleukin 21, a new immune regulator

Interleukin 21 ( IL-21 ) ,a member of Interleukin 2 (IL-2) cytokine family, was discovered in 2000.It shares a common subunit of γc with the other members (such as IL-2, IL-4, IL-7,IL-9,IL-13 and IL-15) ofthe IL-2 cytokine family. IL-21 is produced by activated CD4 positive cells, and its receptor is expressed onmany immune cells, such as B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes and NK cells. Therefore, IL-21 has an importantregulated effect on the immune cells. It can promote the proliferation of B lymphocytes, enhance the productionof IgG1, inhibit the production of IgE, and regulate the cellular immunity. In addition, IL-21 can also promotethe proliferation and enhance the function of both NK cells and T lymphocytes. Therefore, IL-21 regulates hu-moral immunity. As an immune regular,IL-21 plays an important role in the immne regulation and anti-tumorimmunotherapy, and has gained a great deal of interest in the related researches.