IL21

This gene encodes a member of the common-gamma chain family of cytokines with immunoregulatory activity. The encoded protein plays a role in both the innate and adaptive immune responses by inducing the differentiation, proliferation and activity of multiple target cells including macrophages, natural killer cells, B cells and cytotoxic T cells. Dysregulation of this gene plays a role in multiple immune-mediated diseases including lupus, psoriasis and chronic inflammatory diseases. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding multiple isoforms have been observed for this gene.

interleukin 21

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 (By similarity).
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 (By similarity).
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 (PubMed:11081504, PubMed:15178704).
During T-cell mediated immune response may inhibit dendritic cells (DC) activation and maturation (By similarity).

MaturationManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIDA:UniProtKB
Cellular response to virusISS:UniProtKB
Defense response to virusManual Assertion Based On ExperimentTAS:ARUK-UCL
Germinal center B cell differentiationISS:UniProtKB
Positive regulation of B cell proliferationManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIDA:MGI
Positive regulation of cell population proliferationManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIDA:MGI
Positive regulation of cytokine productionManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIDA:CACAO
Positive regulation of immunoglobulin productionISS:UniProtKB
Positive regulation of inflammatory response1 PublicationIC:BHF-UCL
Positive regulation of interferon-gamma production1 PublicationNAS:UniProtKB
Positive regulation of interleukin-17 productionManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIDA:BHF-UCL
Positive regulation of natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicityManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIDA:CACAO
Positive regulation of T cell proliferationManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIDA:UniProtKB
Positive regulation of tissue remodeling1 PublicationIC:BHF-UCL
Positive regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT proteinManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIDA:MGI
Signal transduction1 PublicationNAS:UniProtKB
T follicular helper cell differentiationISS:UniProtKB
Tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT proteinManual Assertion Based On ExperimentIDA:CACAO

Secreted

Immunodeficiency, common variable, 11 (CVID11):
A primary immunodeficiency characterized by antibody deficiency, hypogammaglobulinemia, recurrent bacterial infections and an inability to mount an antibody response to antigen. The defect results from a failure of B-cell differentiation and impaired secretion of immunoglobulins; the numbers of circulating B-cells is usually in the normal range, but can be low.