Interleukin 2 - Function

Function

IL-2 is necessary for the growth, proliferation, and differentiation of T cells to become 'effector' T cells. IL-2 is normally produced by T cells during an immune response. Antigen binding to the T cell receptor (TCR) stimulates the secretion of IL-2, and the expression of IL-2 receptors IL-2R. The IL-2/IL-2R interaction then stimulates the growth, differentiation and survival of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells As such, IL-2 is necessary for the development of T cell immunologic memory, which depends upon the expansion of the number and function of antigen-selected T cell clones.

IL-2 is also necessary during T cell development in the thymus for the maturation of a subset of T cells that are termed regulatory T cells (T-regs). After exiting from the thymus, T-Regs function to prevent other T cells from recognizing and reacting against self antigens, which could result in autoimmunity. T-Regs do so by preventing the responding cells from producing IL-2. Also, because T-Reg cells constitutively express IL-2 receptors, they bind, internalize and degrade IL-2, thereby depriving neighboring effector T cells of IL-2. Thus, IL-2 is required to discriminate between self and non-self, one of the other hallmarks of the immune system.

IL-15 was found to be similar to IL-2. Both cytokines are able to facilitate production of immunoglobulins made by B cells and induce the differentiation and proliferation of natural killer cells. The primary differences between IL-2 and IL-15 are found in adaptive immune responses. For example, IL-2 is necessary for adaptive immunity to foreign pathogens, as it is the basis for the development of immunological memory. On the other hand, IL-15 is necessary for maintaining highly specific T cell responses by supporting the survival of CD8 memory T cells