IL-21 as a therapeutic target in inflammatory disorders.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

IL-21, a cytokine produced by activated CD4(+) cells, activated natural killer T cells and T helper cells in the germinal centers, is involved in the control of the function of both immune and parenchymal cells.

AREAS COVERED:

IL-21 is overproduced in many chronic inflammatory disorders, including inflammatory bowel diseases, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, type I diabetes and systemic lupus erythematosus, and studies in experimental models indicate that IL-21 plays an important role in sustaining tissue-damaging immune responses in such pathologies. However, genetic deficiency of IL-21 associates with inflammatory bowel diseases and blockade of IL-21 in the early phases exacerbates the disease progression in some models of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, thus suggesting a dual role of IL-21 in the control of immune-mediated diseases. IL-21 can exert additional protective functions for the host as it promotes cytotoxic responses against tumors and viruses.

EXPERT OPINION:

We here review the available data on the role of IL-21 in chronic inflammatory diseases and discuss the therapeutic benefit of IL-21 inhibitors in such diseases as well as the potential risks of such treatments.

• Authors: Davide Di Fusco, Roberta Izzo, Michele M Figliuzzi, Francesco Pallone, Giovanni Monteleone
• Journal: Expert opinion on therapeutic targets (Expert Opin Ther Targets) Vol. 18 Issue 11 Pg. 1329-38 (Nov 2014) ISSN: 1744-7631 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25162763 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Interleukins
• interleukin-21

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (pharmacology)
• Disease Progression
• Humans
• Inflammation (drug therapy, genetics, physiopathology)
• Interleukins (antagonists & inhibitors, genetics, metabolism)
• Molecular Targeted Therapy
• T-Lymphocytes (metabolism)