Discovery and characterization of potent IL-21 neutralizing antibodies via a novel alternating antigen immunization and humanization strategy.

ABSTRACT: Interleukin-21 (IL-21), a member of the common cytokine receptor γ chain (γc) family, is secreted by CD4+ T cells and natural killer T cells and induces effector function through interactions with the IL-21 receptor (IL-21R)/γc complex expressed on both immune and non-immune cells. Numerous studies suggest that IL-21 plays a significant role in autoimmune disorders. Therapeutic intervention to disrupt the IL-21/IL-21R/γc interaction and inhibit subsequent downstream signal transduction could offer a treatment paradigm for these diseases. Potent neutralizing antibodies reported in the literature were generated after extensive immunizations with human IL-21 alone and in combination with various adjuvants. To circumvent the laborious method of antibody generation while targeting a conserved f

SUBMITTER: Varkey R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6347146 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature