| Tissue Specificity | Expressed in activated CD4-positive T-cells but not in CD8-positive T-cells, B-cells, or monocytes. |
| Function | Cytokine with immunoregulatory activity. May promote the transition between innate and adaptive immunity. Induces the production of IgG(1) and IgG(3) in B-cells. Implicated in the generation and maintenance of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and the formation of germinal-centers. Together with IL6, control the early generation of Tfh cells and are critical for an effective antibody response to acute viral infection. May play a role in proliferation and maturation of natural killer (NK) cells in synergy with IL15. May regulate proliferation of mature B- and T-cells in response to activating stimuli. In synergy with IL15 and IL18 stimulates interferon gamma production in T-cells and NK cells. During T-cell mediated immune response may inhibit dendritic cells (DC) activation and maturation. |
| Protein Name | Interleukin-21Il-21Za11 |
| Database Links | Reactome: R-HSA-9020958 |
| Cellular Localisation | Secreted |
| Alternative Protein Names | Interleukin-21 proteinIl-21 proteinZa11 proteinIL21 protein |
Information sourced from Uniprot.org
