Il-21 enhances NK cell activation and cytolytic activity and induces Th17 cell differentiation in inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

IL-21 enhances IBD NK cell cytotoxic response, triggers T cells to produce proinflammatory cytokines, and induces IBD CD4(+) T cells to differentiate into Th17 cells, suggesting that IL-21 is involved in the pathogenesis of IBD and that blocking IL-21R signaling may have a therapeutic potential in IBD.