Recombinant Cynomolgus/Rhesus Macaque IL-21R His Protein, CF

Interleukin-21 Receptor (IL-21 R) is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein within the class I cytokine receptor family (1). IL-21 R associates with the common gamma chain (gamma c) which is also a component of the receptors for IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-13, and IL-15 (2, 3). Mature cynomolgus/rhesus IL-21 R is consists of an extracellular domain (ECD), a fibronectin type III domain, and a WSxWS motif, followed by a transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic domain with a Box 1 motif, a kinase domain, and several sites for tyrosine phosphorylation (4, 5). Within the ECD, cynomolgus/rhesus IL-21 R shares 98% amino acid identity with human IL-21 R. IL-21 R is expressed mainly on B cells (highest on mature, activated, follicular and germinal center B cells), NK cells, and activated T cells, but is also found on dendritic cells, alternatively activated macrophages, intestinal lamina propria fibroblasts and epithelial cells, and keratinocytes (1, 4, 5). Both IL-21 and IL-4 are necessary for efficient B cell IgG1 production and normal germinal center architecture (6). B cell IL-21 R engagement induces Blimp-1 (which mediates plasma cell differentiation) and is important for memory responses (7, 8). IL-21 R engagement enhances NK cell mediated cytotoxic activity and IFN-gamma production (4, 9), control of viral infection and tumor growth by CD8+ T cells (10), development of regulatory T cells (11), IL-23 responsiveness of encephalitogenic Th17 cells (12), but suppresses the accumulation of IL-17 secreting gamma delta T cells in the airway (13). IL-21 R expression is often upregulated in allergic skin inflammation, systemic lupus erythematosus and diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (14, 15).