白细胞介素21的免疫调节功能及其在血液肿瘤中的作用

Immune-regulating and Anti-tumor Effects of Interleukin 21 on Various Hematological Tumors

白细胞介素21(IL-21)作为新的免疫系统调节因子,在免疫调节、抗肿瘤中的作用已经成为近年来的研究热点。白细胞介素21受体(IL-2lR)表达在大多数的淋巴细胞,对多种免疫细胞,包括B淋巴细胞、T淋巴细胞、NK细胞和树突状细胞都有重要的生物调节作用,进而在宿主抗肿瘤免疫和许多癌症的免疫治疗中具有一定作用。许多研究已经证实IL-21对于多种恶性肿瘤发挥良好的抗肿瘤作用,并且部分已应用于临床。新近的研究表明,IL-21对于不同的血液肿瘤具有不同的作用,如对B细胞慢性淋巴细胞白血病、非霍奇金淋巴瘤和白血病,其可以发挥抗肿瘤作用,此作用机制包括直接抗肿瘤作用及通过作用于免疫细胞发挥间接的抗肿瘤作用。而对于霍奇金淋巴瘤和多发性骨髓瘤则表现为促进肿瘤细胞的生长,其作用机制包括通过激活相应的信号途径和作用于相应的细胞因子。本文对IL-21的免疫调节功能及其在血液肿瘤中的相关研究进行综述。

Interleukin 21 （IL-21） plays an important role in immune regulation and has a potent anti-tumor effect, thus gaining considerable attention in various research fields. The receptor of IL-21 is expressed in most kinds of lymphocytes, such as B, T, NK, and dendritic cells. Hence, it has important regulating effects on immune cells. Many studies have confirmed the anti-tumor effect of 1L-21 in various malignant tumors. Some of these studies have conducted successful clinical trials. Recent studies show that IL-21 has different effects on various hematological tumors. It shows anti-tumor effects in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkin＇s lymphoma, and leukemia. The mechanism involves direct action on tumor cells and indirect action via immune cells. However, IL-21 can promote tumor cell growth in Hodgkin＇s lymphoma and multiple myeloma. The mechanism involves the activation of related signal pathways and cytokines. This review provides insight into the immune regulating effects of IL-21 and its anti-tumor effect on various hematological tumors.