IL-21 Human Recombinant Protein

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. [provided by RefSeq, Dec 2011]

IL21: 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. 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. Belongs to the IL-15/IL-21 family. 2 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: Apoptosis; Secreted, signal peptide; Secreted; Cytokine; Cell development/differentiation

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 4q26-q27

Cellular Component: extracellular space

Molecular Function: hematopoietin/interferon-class (D200-domain) cytokine receptor binding; interleukin-2 receptor binding; cytokine activity

Biological Process: positive regulation of interleukin-17 production; positive regulation of natural killer cell cytokine production; cell maturation; signal transduction; positive regulation of natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicity; positive regulation of interleukin-10 production; positive regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat3 protein; positive regulation of natural killer cell differentiation; positive regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat1 protein; positive regulation of tissue remodeling; positive regulation of cell proliferation; positive regulation of B cell proliferation; positive regulation of T cell proliferation; immune response; positive regulation of interferon-gamma biosynthetic process; positive regulation of inflammatory response

Disease: Immunodeficiency, Common Variable, 11