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Published Online May 14, 2009
Science DOI: 10.1126/science.1175194

Reports

Submitted on October 23, 2008
Accepted on May 6, 2009

A Vital Role for Interleukin-21 in the Control of a Chronic Viral Infection

John S. Yi 1, Ming Du 1, Allan J. Zajac 1*

1 Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294–2170, USA.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Allan J. Zajac , E-mail: azajac{at}uab.edu

Understanding the factors that regulate the induction, quality, and longevity of antiviral T cell responses is essential for devising rational strategies to prevent or combat infections. In this study, we show that interleukin-21 (IL-21), likely produced by CD4+ T cells, directly influences the generation of polyfunctional CD8+ T cells and that the number of CD4+ T cells that produce IL-21 differs markedly between acute and chronic infections. Strikingly, IL-21 regulates the development of CD8+ T cell exhaustion and the ability to contain chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection. Thus, IL-21 serves as a critical helper factor that shapes the functional quality of antiviral CD8+ T cells and is required for viral control.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
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A Little 'Help' from IL-21 During Persistent Viral Infection.
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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)