IL-21-dependent Ly6C⁺Ly6G⁺CD4⁺ T cells found in lung enhance macrophages function against Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae infection in mice.

ABSTRACT: IL-21/IL-21R signaling is crucial in various immune diseases and cellular development, however, its role in bacterial pneumonia remains unclear. Here, IL-21R knockout (IL-21R^-/-) mice were more susceptible to Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) than wild-type (WT) mice. High-dimensional mass cytometry analysis revealed that IL-21R deficiency inhibited neutrophil activation, decreased the numbers of monocytes and proinflammatory macrophages, and augmented the defective CD3^low T cells in the lungs. Intracellular cytokine staining showed decreased IFN-γ/TNF-α/IL-6 production in IL-21R^-/- mice, particularly in CD8⁺ T cells. Furthermore, a previously unrecognized Ly6C⁺Ly6G⁺CD4⁺ T cell subset emerged only i

SUBMITTER: Bao C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12501081 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature