CD20 and Interleukin-21 receptor complex (CD20/IL-21R)

The CD20 and Interleukin-21 receptor (IL-21R) complex is a therapeutic target configuration typically addressed by immunocytokines or bispecific fusion proteins. CD20 is a well-characterized B-cell surface antigen that serves as a high-affinity anchor for targeting B-cell malignancies [2, 7]. The IL-21 receptor is a heterodimer composed of the IL-21Rα subunit (CD360) and the common cytokine receptor gamma chain (γc, also known as CD132) [1, 4, 16]. When a CD20-targeted IL-21 fusion protein binds to CD20, it brings the IL-21 cytokine into close proximity with the IL-21R/γc heterodimer on the same or adjacent B-cells [25, 29]. This interaction triggers the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, primarily through STAT3, which can induce apoptosis or terminal differentiation of malignant B-cells into plasma cells [1, 16, 20]. This targeted approach is designed to maximize the anti-tumor activity of IL-21 while minimizing the systemic toxicities associated with non-targeted cytokine therapy [25, 29].

Other names

CD20 and IL-21R-CD132 complexCD20-targeted IL-21 receptorCD20 and IL-21R-common gamma chain heterodimerCD20 and IL-21R-gamma chain complex

Targeted delivery of IL-21 to CD20-expressing B-cells to induce apoptosis or terminal differentiation via the IL-21R/gamma-chain signaling pathway.