IL-21, mouse recombinant

Interleukin-21 (IL-21), expressed by activated CD4(+) T cells, is the newest member of the common gamma-chain family of cytokines, which also includes IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-13. Its private receptor, IL-21R, is expressed on T, B, and NK cells. Within the B cell lineage, IL-21 regulates IgG1 production and cooperates with IL-4 for the production of multiple Ab classes in vivo. IL-21R has been shown to activate the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription signaling pathways upon ligand binding. Initial studies have demonstrated that IL-21 has pleiotropic effects on the proliferation, the differentiation, and the effector functions of B, T, natural killer, and dendritic cells. Recombinant mouse IL-21 is a single, non-glycosylated polypeptide chain.