Interleukin 2 is a pleiotropic cytokine produced primarily by mitogen- or antigen- activated T lymphocytes.
Interleukin 2 plays a role in promoting the clonal expansion of antigen-specific cytotoxic and suppressor T cells. In vitro studies suggest that Interleukin 2 may also be produced by dendritic cells and certain lymphoma cell lines.
In addition, Interleukin 2 has been shown to mediate multiple immune responses on a variety of cell types.
Interleukin 2 stimulates the proliferation of thymocytes; stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of activated B cells; promotes the growth, differentiation, and cytocidal activity of monocytes; induces the growth of natural killer cells and stimulates cytokine production by these cells, as well as enhancing the cytolytic activity of these cells; enhances the production of lymphocyte-activated killer (LAK) cells; and induces the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocytes.
References:
Lin J-X, Leonard WJ. Interleukin-2. In: Thomson AW, Lotze MT, eds. Cytokine Handbook. 4th ed, vol 1. London, UK and San Diego, Calif: Academic Press, Elsevier Science;2003:167-199.
Interleukin 2, Serum
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