@article{3da56530e16c11ddb5fc000ea68e967b,
title = "Interleukin-21 mRNA expression during virus infections",
abstract = "Interleukin-21 is a cytokine with profound impact on the proliferation and differentiation of activated leukocytes of both the innate and adaptive immune system. In experiments in vitro, antigen activation induces IL-21 production in CD4+ T cells. Where, when, and how the proliferative and activational effects of IL-21 on different leukocytes come into play in vivo in an immune response has so far not been fully investigated. We show here for the first time in vivo, that IL-21 mRNA is produced in the spleen when mice are challenged with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) or lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). We show in HSV-2 challenged mice that this production takes place in CD4+ T cell fractions and is absent in CD4+ T cell-depleted fractions. We also show that the peak of IL-21 mRNA production in both the HSV-2 and LCMV-challenged mice coincides with the onset of the adaptive immune response. Thus, our data suggest a role for IL-21 in the early stages of adaptive immune response against virus infections.",
author = "Christian Holm and Nyvold, {Charlotte Guldborg} and Paludan, {S{\o}ren Riis} and Thomsen, {Allan R} and Marianne Hokland",
note = "Keywords: Animals; Arenaviridae Infections; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Female; Herpes Genitalis; Herpesvirus 2, Human; Interferon-gamma; Interleukins; Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; RNA, Messenger; Spleen; Time Factors",
year = "2006",
doi = "10.1016/j.cyto.2005.11.014",
language = "English",
volume = "33",
pages = "41--5",
journal = "Cytokine",
issn = "1043-4666",
publisher = "Academic Press",
number = "1",
}