Journal
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
Volume 173, Issue 2, Pages 900-909Publisher
AMER ASSOC IMMUNOLOGISTS
DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.173.2.900
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Cytokines that use the common receptor gamma-chain for regulating CD8(+) T cell responses to Ag include IL-2, IL-15, and the recently identified IL-21. The ability of these cytokines to regulate antitumor activity in mice has generated considerable interest in understanding their mode of action. In this study we compare the abilities of IL-2, IL-15, and IL-21 to stimulate immunity against tumors in a syngeneic thymoma model. Durable cures were only achieved in IL-21-treated mice. By monitoring both endogenous and adoptively transferred tumor Ag-specific CD8(+) T cells, it was determined that IL-21 activities overlap with those of IL-2 and IL-15. Similar to IL-2, IL-21 enhanced Ag activation and clonal expansion. However, unlike IL-2 treatment, which induces activation-induced cell death, IL-21 sustained CD8(+) T cell numbers long term as a result of increased survival, an effect often attributed to IL-15. These findings indicate that the mechanisms used by IL-21,to promote CD8(+) T cell responses offer unique opportunities for its use in malignant diseases and infections.
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