IL-2 and IL-21 confer opposing differentiation programs to CD8+ T cells for adoptive immunotherapy

ABSTRACT: IL-2 and IL-21 are closely related cytokines that might have arisen by gene duplication. Both cytokines promote the function of effector CD8+ T cells, but their distinct effects on antigen-driven differentiation of naïve CD8+ T cells into effector CD8+ T cells are not clearly understood. We found that antigen-induced expression of eomesodermin and maturation of naïve CD8+ T cells into granzyme B and CD44 expressing effector CD8+ T cells was enhanced by IL-2, but, unexpectedly, suppressed by IL-21. Furthermore, IL-21 repressed expression of IL-2Ra and inhibited IL-2-mediated acquisition of a cytolytic CD8+ T cell phenotype. Despite its inhibitory effects, IL-21 did not induce anergy, but instead potently enhanced the capacity of cells to mediate tumor regression upon adoptive transfer. In

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

SUBMITTER: Keith Kerstann 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-10403 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress