IL-15 functions as a danger signal to regulate tissue-resident T cells and tissue destruction
In this Opinion article, we discuss the function of tissues as a crucial checkpoint for the
regulation of effector T cell responses, and the notion that interleukin-15 (IL-15) functions as
a danger molecule that communicates to the immune system that the tissue is under attack
and poises it to mediate tissue destruction. More specifically, we propose that expression of
IL-15 in tissues promotes T helper 1 cell-mediated immunity and provides co-stimulatory
signals to effector cytotoxic T cells to exert their effector functions and drive tissue …
regulation of effector T cell responses, and the notion that interleukin-15 (IL-15) functions as
a danger molecule that communicates to the immune system that the tissue is under attack
and poises it to mediate tissue destruction. More specifically, we propose that expression of
IL-15 in tissues promotes T helper 1 cell-mediated immunity and provides co-stimulatory
signals to effector cytotoxic T cells to exert their effector functions and drive tissue …
Abstract
In this Opinion article, we discuss the function of tissues as a crucial checkpoint for the regulation of effector T cell responses, and the notion that interleukin-15 (IL-15) functions as a danger molecule that communicates to the immune system that the tissue is under attack and poises it to mediate tissue destruction. More specifically, we propose that expression of IL-15 in tissues promotes T helper 1 cell-mediated immunity and provides co-stimulatory signals to effector cytotoxic T cells to exert their effector functions and drive tissue destruction. Therefore, we think that IL-15 contributes to tissue protection by promoting the elimination of infected cells but that when its expression is chronically dysregulated, it can promote the development of complex T cell-mediated disorders associated with tissue destruction, such as coeliac disease and type 1 diabetes.
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