Abstract
Interleukin-2 (IL-2), a 15 kDa protein secreted by antigen-activated T lymphocytes, plays a central role in the generation of an immune response. Initially characterized as a T cell growth factor, IL-2 has subsequently been found to act on all lymphoid cell types, inducing both their proliferation and functional differentiation. The effects of IL-2 are mediated by the activation of a specific cell-surface receptor (IL-2R), which is comprised of at least three distinct proteins. Early biochemical signaling events triggered upon IL-2R activation have recently begun to be elucidated, and a number of genes have been identified which are specifically induced by IL-2. The task now at hand is to link the biochemical signaling pathways activated by IL-2 with the regulation of gene expression, and to delineate the roles of these gene products in IL-2-mediated proliferation and differentiation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 365-373 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Seminars in Immunology |
Volume | 5 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1993 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Interleukin-2-induced genes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology