Description
IL-2 is a powerful immunoregulatory lymphokine produced by T-Cells in response to antigenic or mitogenic activation. IL-2 stimulates growth and differentiation of B-Cells, most T-cells, NK cells, monocytes and macrophages.
Mature IL-2 is a 15.4kDa globular glycoprotein containing 133 amino acid residues including one intrachain disulfide bond between residues 58 and 105.
Apart from its most important role to mediate antigen-specific T-lymphocyte proliferation, IL-2 modulates the expression of interferon-g and major histocompatibility antigens.
Alterations in the ability of T-cell to synthesize IL-2 have been observed in physiologic and pathologic states. Currently, IL-2 is used to enhance the immune system of patients for the treatment of cancer and infectious disease