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Role of interleukin-21 in HBV infection: friend or foe?

Cellular & Molecular Immunology volume 12, pages 303–308 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

Interleukin (IL)-21, a cytokine produced by activated CD4+ T cells, has broad pleiotropic actions that affect the functions of a variety of lymphoid cells. The roles of IL-21 in modulating immunity to infections are currently being defined. Notably, IL-21-mediated cellular and humoral immune responses play an important role in determining the outcome of viral infection. This article reviews the current knowledge on the critical role of IL-21 in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. As a competent intermediary, IL-21 derived from virus-specific CD4+ T cells plays key roles in sustaining CD8+ T cells and promoting B-cell responses that are essential for effective viral control. However, as a mediator of inflammation, IL-21 is also involved in the development of HBV-induced liver cirrhosis and exacerbating liver injury. Overall, the current data point to IL-21 as an immunomodulatory cytokine in HBV infection. Immunotherapeutic strategies aimed at optimizing the beneficial effects of IL-21 in HBV infection may prove to be a rigorous challenge in the future, as they should foster the strengths of IL-21 while circumventing potential drawbacks.

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Acknowledgements

The authors express their sincere thanks to Drs Xiaoyong Zhang and Chris Kafai Li for their critical comments. This work was supported by the Major Science and Technology Special Project of China (2008ZX10002-004, 2012ZX10002-003 and 2011CB946100) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81270025).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology Unit, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China

    Yongyin Li, Libo Tang & Jinlin Hou

  2. State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China

    Yongyin Li, Libo Tang & Jinlin Hou

  3. Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China

    Yongyin Li & Jinlin Hou

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Correspondence to Jinlin Hou.

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Li, Y., Tang, L. & Hou, J. Role of interleukin-21 in HBV infection: friend or foe?. Cell Mol Immunol 12, 303–308 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/cmi.2014.109

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