Description and references

Pleiotropic cytokine produced by T-lymphocytes following activation by antigens or mitogens in the presence of IL-1, q.v. Native, human IL-2 is a glycoprotein containing 133 amino acid residues; mol wt ≈15 kDa. Potent immunomodulator with important role in activating and maintaining the immune response. Induces growth and proliferation of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells; enhances natural killer cell activity; stimulates antigen secretion; potentiates the release of γ-interferon and other cytokines. Also serves to down-regulate the immune system to prevent autoimmunity. Identification of soluble mitogenic factor produced by T-cells in response to antigen: R. S. Geha, E. Merler, Cell. Immunol. 10, 86 (1974). Identification of T-cell growth promoting factor produced by mitogen stimulated lymphocytes: D. A. Morgan et al., Science 193, 1007 (1976). Definition and nomenclature: L. A. Aarden et al., J. Immunol. 123, 2928 (1979). Induction of IL-2 production by IL-1: K. A. Smith et al., J. Exp. Med. 151, 1551 (1980). Review of early studies: J. Watson, D. Mochizuki, Immunol. Rev. 51, 257 (1980). Purification and partial amino acid sequence: R. J. Robb et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80, 5990 (1983). Expression of cloned cDNA for human IL-2 and predicted amino acid sequence: T. Taniguchi et al., Nature 302, 305 (1983). Isolation of human IL-2 gene: S. Mita et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 117, 114 (1983). Purification and cloning of the T-cell surface receptor for IL-2: W. J. Leonard et al., Nature 311, 626 (1984). Review of recombinant IL-2 muteins: L. T. Vlasveld, E. M. Rankin, Cancer Treat. Rev. 20, 275-311 (1994). Review of pharmacology and therapeutic use in cancer: R. Whittington, D. Faulds, Drugs 46, 446-514 (1993); of function, production and clinical applications: S. L. Gaffen, K. D. Liu, Cytokine 28, 109-123 (2004).

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