Description
IL-2 is a 17.2 kD cytokine signaling protein that is the regulator of the proliferative and suppressive phases of the immune response, and stimulates growth and differentiation of B cells, NK cells, LAK cells, monocytes, and oligodendrocytes. It functions as a primary regulator of T cell homeostasis. Il-2 regulates the activities of white blood cells and plays a role in the immune system via “self” and “non-self” discrimination. IL-2 is a prime candidate in immunotherapeutics for both increasing T cell levels/function and for augmenting vaccine-elicited viral-specific T cell responses. IL-2 signal can be transduced via 3 different signaling pathways that include the JAK-STAT, PI3K/Akt/mTOR and MAPK/ERK pathways. Aldesleukin is a form of recombinant interleukin-2 for the treatment of cancers including malignant melanoma and renal cell cancer. Furthermore, there is additional therapeutic potential for IL-2 mAb use with transplants and autoimmune disease