Jornal de Imunologia Clínica e Celular
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Role of IL-21 in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Sonia S. Jung and Heath M. Guay

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects multiple organ systems and tissues. Activation and differentiation of autoreactive T and B cells, and the formation of pathogenic autoantibodies are central to disease pathogenesis. IL-21 is the most recently identified member of the family of cytokines whose receptors share the common γ_c. IL-21 is a pleotropic cytokine that regulates the activation, differentiation and expansion of B and T cells. Here, we review the role of IL-21 in T and B cell biology, and provide insight into the potential role of IL-21 in the development of SLE.