The effects of interleukin-21 in the biology of transplant rejection

Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is a cytokine that plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses, affecting various immune cell types, including T cells, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and dendritic cells. IL-21 is primarily produced by CD4+ T cells, particularly follicular helper T (Tfh) cells an...

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Main Authors: Xiandong Zeng, Yixiao Pan, Qiang Xia, Kang He
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1571828/full
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author Xiandong Zeng
Xiandong Zeng
Yixiao Pan
Yixiao Pan
Qiang Xia
Qiang Xia
Kang He
Kang He
author_facet Xiandong Zeng
Xiandong Zeng
Yixiao Pan
Yixiao Pan
Qiang Xia
Qiang Xia
Kang He
Kang He
author_sort Xiandong Zeng
collection DOAJ
description Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is a cytokine that plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses, affecting various immune cell types, including T cells, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and dendritic cells. IL-21 is primarily produced by CD4+ T cells, particularly follicular helper T (Tfh) cells and Th17 cells, and has been shown to be extensively involved in regulating both innate and adaptive immunity. IL-21 is particularly significant in the differentiation, proliferation, and effector functions of T cells and B cells. In the context of organ transplantation, IL-21 contributes to the promotion of acute transplant rejection and the development of chronic rejection, which is primarily antibody-mediated. This review summarizes relevant studies on IL-21 and discusses its multifaceted roles in transplant immune rejection, providing insights into therapeutic strategies for either inhibiting graft rejection or promoting tolerance. It also explores the feasibility of blocking the IL-21 signaling pathway within current immunosuppressive regimens, aiming to provide further clinical references.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Immunology
spelling doaj-art-ce4e521e7237428884253a13eb6892f02025-08-20T01:48:40ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-05-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.15718281571828The effects of interleukin-21 in the biology of transplant rejectionXiandong Zeng0Xiandong Zeng1Yixiao Pan2Yixiao Pan3Qiang Xia4Qiang Xia5Kang He6Kang He7Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, ChinaShanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, ChinaShanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, ChinaShanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, ChinaShanghai Engineering Research Center of Transplantation and Immunology, Shanghai, ChinaInterleukin-21 (IL-21) is a cytokine that plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses, affecting various immune cell types, including T cells, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and dendritic cells. IL-21 is primarily produced by CD4+ T cells, particularly follicular helper T (Tfh) cells and Th17 cells, and has been shown to be extensively involved in regulating both innate and adaptive immunity. IL-21 is particularly significant in the differentiation, proliferation, and effector functions of T cells and B cells. In the context of organ transplantation, IL-21 contributes to the promotion of acute transplant rejection and the development of chronic rejection, which is primarily antibody-mediated. This review summarizes relevant studies on IL-21 and discusses its multifaceted roles in transplant immune rejection, providing insights into therapeutic strategies for either inhibiting graft rejection or promoting tolerance. It also explores the feasibility of blocking the IL-21 signaling pathway within current immunosuppressive regimens, aiming to provide further clinical references.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1571828/fullinterleukin-21 (IL-21)T lymphocyteB lymphocytetransplant rejectionantibody-mediated rejection (AMR)
spellingShingle Xiandong Zeng
Xiandong Zeng
Yixiao Pan
Yixiao Pan
Qiang Xia
Qiang Xia
Kang He
Kang He
The effects of interleukin-21 in the biology of transplant rejection
Frontiers in Immunology
interleukin-21 (IL-21)
T lymphocyte
B lymphocyte
transplant rejection
antibody-mediated rejection (AMR)
title The effects of interleukin-21 in the biology of transplant rejection
title_full The effects of interleukin-21 in the biology of transplant rejection
title_fullStr The effects of interleukin-21 in the biology of transplant rejection
title_full_unstemmed The effects of interleukin-21 in the biology of transplant rejection
title_short The effects of interleukin-21 in the biology of transplant rejection
title_sort effects of interleukin 21 in the biology of transplant rejection
topic interleukin-21 (IL-21)
T lymphocyte
B lymphocyte
transplant rejection
antibody-mediated rejection (AMR)
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1571828/full
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