Journal
SCIENCE
Volume 324, Issue 5934, Pages 1576-1580Publisher
AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE
DOI: 10.1126/science.1172815
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Funding
- Swiss National Science Foundation [310030_124922]
- Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF) [310030_124922] Funding Source: Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF)
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Chronic viral infection is often associated with the dysfunction of virus-specific T cells. Our studies using Il21r-deficient (Il21r(-/-)) mice now suggest that interleukin-21 (IL-21) is critical for the long-term maintenance and functionality of CD8(+) T cells and the control of chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection in mice. Cell-autonomous IL-21 receptor (IL-21R)-dependent signaling by CD8(+) T cells was required for sustained cell proliferation and cytokine production during chronic infection. Il21r(-/-) mice showed normal CD8(+) T cell expansion, effector function, memory homeostasis, and recall responses during acute and after resolved infection with several other nonpersistent viruses. These data suggest that IL-21R signaling is required for the maintenance of polyfunctional T cells during chronic viral infections and have implications for understanding the immune response to other persisting antigens, such as tumors.
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