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

BackgroundInterleukin-21 (IL-21) is involved in T and NK cell activation and effector response and promotes Th17 cell differentiation. Here we investigated IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) expression in inflamed mucosa of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and evaluated its role in the induction of NK cell cytotoxicity and activation as well as Th17 differentiation.