RGD Reference Report - Key role for IL-21 in experimental autoimmune uveitis. - Rat Genome Database

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Key role for IL-21 in experimental autoimmune uveitis.

Authors: Wang, L  Yu, CR  Kim, HP  Liao, W  Telford, WG  Egwuagu, CE  Leonard, WJ 
Citation: Wang L, etal., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Jun 7;108(23):9542-7. Epub 2011 May 18.
RGD ID: 6892928
Pubmed: PMID:21593413   (View Abstract at PubMed)
PMCID: PMC3111309   (View Article at PubMed Central)
DOI: DOI:10.1073/pnas.1018182108   (Journal Full-text)

IL-21 is a pleiotropic type 1 cytokine that shares the common cytokine receptor gamma-chain, gamma(c), with IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15. IL-21 is most homologous to IL-2. These cytokines are encoded by adjacent genes, but they are functionally distinct. Whereas IL-2 promotes development of regulatory T cells and confers protection from autoimmune disease, IL-21 promotes differentiation of Th17 cells and is implicated in several autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes and systemic lupus erythematosus. However, the roles of IL-21 and IL-2 in CNS autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and uveitis have been controversial. Here, we generated Il21-mCherry/Il2-emGFP dual-reporter transgenic mice and showed that development of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) correlated with the presence of T cells coexpressing IL-21 and IL-2 into the retina. Furthermore, Il21r(-/-) mice were more resistant to EAU development than wild-type mice, and adoptive transfer of Il21r(-/-) T cells induced much less severe EAU, underscoring the need for IL-21 in the development of this disease and suggesting that blocking IL-21/gamma(c)-signaling pathways may provide a means for controlling CNS auto-inflammatory diseases.

RGD Manual Disease Annotations    Click to see Annotation Detail View
TermQualifierEvidenceWithReferenceNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
uveitis  ISORDG:13126886892928; 6892928 RGD 
uveitis  IDA 6892928 RGD 

Objects Annotated

Genes (Rattus norvegicus)
Il21r  (interleukin 21 receptor)

Genes (Mus musculus)
Il21r  (interleukin 21 receptor)

Genes (Homo sapiens)
IL21R  (interleukin 21 receptor)


Additional Information