The IL-2/IL-15 receptor systems: targets for immunotherapy.

Abstract

Although interleukin-2 (IL-2) and -15 (IL-15) share two receptor subunits and many functions, at times they provide contrasting contributions to T-cell-mediated immune responses. IL-2, through its pivitol role in activation-induced cell death (AICD), is involved in peripheral tolerance through the elimination of self-reactive T cells. In contrast, in general IL-15 manifests antiapoptotic actions and inhibits IL-2-mediated AICD. IL-15 stimulates persistence of memory phenotype CD8+ T cells, whereas IL-2 inhibits their expression. Humanized monoclonal antibodies that recognize IL-2Ra, the private receptor for IL-2, are being employed to inhibit allograft rejection and to treat T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. Therapies directed toward inhibiting the actions of the inflammatory cytokine, IL-15, are proposed for an array of autoimmune disorders as well as diseases associated with the retrovirus human T-cell lymphotrophic virus 1.

• Authors: Thomas A Waldmann
• Journal: Journal of clinical immunology (J Clin Immunol) Vol. 22 Issue 2 Pg. 51-6 (Mar 2002) ISSN: 0271-9142 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 11998892 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• IL15RA protein, human
• Interleukin-15
• Interleukin-2
• Receptors, Interleukin-15
• Receptors, Interleukin-2

Topics

• Animals
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (therapeutic use)
• Autoimmune Diseases (therapy)
• Humans
• Immunotherapy
• Interleukin-15 (immunology, metabolism)
• Interleukin-2 (immunology, metabolism)
• Receptors, Interleukin-15
• Receptors, Interleukin-2 (immunology, metabolism)
• T-Lymphocytes (immunology)