In this volume, Nguyen and Weng 1 show an intriguing study in which they observed an antagonizing effect by IL-21 on the IL-7- or IL-15-driven expansion of CD28 − nonfunctional memory CD8 T cells and thereby, proposed a new role for IL-21 to keep the memory pool fresh and competent. I will summarize previous studies and discuss the recent advancement in this context. Footnotes SEE CORRESPONDING ARTICLE ON PAGE 43 Abbreviations: γc=γ chain, EGF=epidermal growth factor, IL21R –/– =IL-21R-deficient Received September 4, 2009. Revision received September 23, 2009. Accepted September 26, 2009. Society for Leukocyte Biology Related Article Spotlight on Leading Edge Research : Huy Nguyen and Nan-ping Weng IL-21 preferentially enhances IL-15-mediated homeostatic proliferation of human CD28 + CD8 memory T cells throughout the adult age span J Leukoc Biol January 2010 87 : 43 - 49 ; doi: 10.1189/jlb.0209086 IL-21 enhances IL-15-mediated proliferation of CD8 memory T cells, particularly CD28 + memory T cells, and also serves as an antagonist to the IL-15-induced increase of CD28 − CD8 T cells. Abstract Full Text Full Text (PDF)
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