Application: | SpeciesReactivity: Hu | Gene Name: IL2 from Entrez Gene | Note:

IL-2, also known as T cell growth factor (TCGF), is a glycosylated alpha-helical polypeptide, synthesized as a 153 amino acid (aa) precursor with a 20 aa signal peptide and a 133 aa mature chain. It is secreted by activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, neurons, microglia and hematopoietic stem cells in response to antigenic or mitogenic stimulation. IL-2 is required for T-cell proliferation, Natural Killer cells (NK) cytolytic activity, differentiation of regulatory T cells, modulation of T helper (Th) cell differentiation and activation-induced cell death. In particular, IL-2 modulates the expression of receptors for other cytokines and transcription factors, therefore regulating cytokine cascades that correlate with each of the Th differentiation states.

Complete deficiency of IL-2 has been implicated in severe combined immunodeficiency, whereas reduction of the IL-2 correlates with reduced function of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and destabilization of immune homeostasis leading to autoimmune disease. Increased expression of IL-2 has also been implicated in inflammatory conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and chronic liver diseases. IL-2 therefore is both a immune stimulator and immune suppressor cytokine which efficiently controls the immune system to deal with autoimmunity and adaptive immune response.