Interleukin-21 receptor : common gamma-chain heterodimer complex (IL-21R:γc complex)

The Interleukin-21 receptor : common gamma-chain heterodimer complex is a type I cytokine receptor composed of the specific Interleukin-21 receptor (IL-21R) subunit and the common cytokine receptor gamma chain (γc, also known as CD132) (UniProt Q9HBE5, P31785). This complex is primarily expressed on B cells, T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and dendritic cells, where it serves as the functional receptor for the cytokine IL-21 (Spolski & Leonard, Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2014). Upon ligand binding, the complex triggers the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway, specifically involving JAK1, JAK3, STAT1, and STAT3, to regulate immune cell proliferation and differentiation (Leonard & Wan, 2019). It plays a pivotal role in the transition of B cells into antibody-secreting plasma cells and the enhancement of CD8+ T cell and NK cell cytotoxicity (Davis et al., Journal of Immunology, 2015). Because of its central role in modulating both innate and adaptive immune responses, the IL-21R:γc complex is a key therapeutic target; agonists like Denenicokin have been explored for cancer immunotherapy to boost anti-tumor activity, while antagonists such as NNC0114-0005 are developed to treat autoimmune and inflammatory disorders like systemic lupus erythematosus (Sondergaard & Skak, 2009).

Other names

IL-21R/CD132 complexInterleukin-21 receptor complexIL-21R/IL-2RG complexIL-21 receptor heterodimer

Agonism of the receptor complex to stimulate immune responses in oncology or antagonism/neutralization to inhibit inflammatory signaling in autoimmune diseases.