Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
12
pubmed:dateCreated
2005-12-12
pubmed:abstractText
IL-21 is a type I cytokine that influences the function of T cells, NK cells, and B cells. In this study, we report that IL-21 plays a major role in stimulating the differentiation of human B cells. When human B cells were stimulated through the BCR, IL-21 induced minimal proliferation, IgD down-modulation, and small numbers of plasma cells. In contrast, after CD40 engagement, IL-21 induced extensive proliferation, class switch recombination (CSR), and plasma cell differentiation. Upon cross-linking both BCR and CD40, IL-21 induced the largest numbers of plasma cells. IL-21 drove both postswitch memory cells as well as poorly responsive naive cord blood B cells to differentiate into plasma cells. The effect of IL-21 was more potent than the combination of IL-2 and IL-10, especially when responsiveness of cord blood B cells was examined. IL-21 costimulation potently induced the expression of both B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein-1 (BLIMP-1) and activation-induced cytidine deaminase as well as the production of large amounts of IgG from B cells. Despite the induction of activation-induced cytidine deaminase and CSR, IL-21 did not induce somatic hypermutation. Finally, IL-2 enhanced the effects of IL-21, whereas IL-4 inhibited IL-21-induced plasma cell differentiation. Taken together, our data show that IL-21 plays a central role in CSR and plasma cell differentiation during T cell-dependent B cell responses.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Dec
pubmed:issn
0022-1767
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
15
pubmed:volume
175
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
7867-79
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2005
pubmed:articleTitle
IL-21 induces differentiation of human naive and memory B cells into antibody-secreting plasma cells.
pubmed:affiliation
Autoimmunity Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. ettingerr@mail.nih.gov
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural