The biology of interleukin-2 and interleukin-15: implications for cancer therapy and vaccine design
TA Waldmann - Nature Reviews Immunology, 2006 - nature.com
Nature Reviews Immunology, 2006•nature.com
Abstract Interleukin-2 and interleukin-15 have pivotal roles in the control of the life and death
of lymphocytes. Although their heterotrimeric receptors have two receptor subunits in
common, these two cytokines have contrasting roles in adaptive immune responses. The
unique role of interleukin-2 is in the elimination of self-reactive T cells to prevent
autoimmunity. By contrast, interleukin-15 is dedicated to the prolonged maintenance of
memory T-cell responses to invading pathogens. As discussed in this Review, the biology of …
of lymphocytes. Although their heterotrimeric receptors have two receptor subunits in
common, these two cytokines have contrasting roles in adaptive immune responses. The
unique role of interleukin-2 is in the elimination of self-reactive T cells to prevent
autoimmunity. By contrast, interleukin-15 is dedicated to the prolonged maintenance of
memory T-cell responses to invading pathogens. As discussed in this Review, the biology of …
Abstract
Interleukin-2 and interleukin-15 have pivotal roles in the control of the life and death of lymphocytes. Although their heterotrimeric receptors have two receptor subunits in common, these two cytokines have contrasting roles in adaptive immune responses. The unique role of interleukin-2 is in the elimination of self-reactive T cells to prevent autoimmunity. By contrast, interleukin-15 is dedicated to the prolonged maintenance of memory T-cell responses to invading pathogens. As discussed in this Review, the biology of these cytokines will affect the development of novel therapies for malignancy and autoimmune diseases, as well as the design of vaccines against infectious diseases.
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