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IL-2 is amember of a family of cytokines, which also includes IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15and IL-21. IL-2 signals through a receptor complex consisting of IL-2specific IL-2 receptor alpha (CD25), IL-2 receptor beta (CD122) and a commongamma chain (γc), which is shared by all members of this family of cytokines.Binding of IL-2 activates the Ras/MAPK, JAK/Stat and PI 3-kinase/Aktsignaling modules.<br/>IL-2 isnormally produced by the body during an immune response. When environmentalsubstances (molecules or microbes) gain access to the body, these substancesare recognized as foreign by antigen receptors that are expressed on thesurface of lymphocytes. 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 andsurvival of antigen-selected cytotoxic T cells via the activation of theexpression of specific genes. As such, IL-2 is necessary for the developmentof T cell immunologic memory, one of the unique characteristics of the immunesystem, which depends upon the expansion of the number and function ofantigen-selected T cell clones.<br/>IL-2 isalso necessary during T cell development in the thymus for the maturation ofa unique subset of T cells that are termed regulatory T cells (Tregs). Afterexiting from the thymus, T-Regs function to prevent other T cells fromrecognizing and reacting against "self antigens", which couldresult in "autoimmunity". T-Regs do so by preventing the respondingcells from producing IL-2. Thus, IL-2 is required to discriminate betweenself and nonself, another one of the unique characteristics of the immunesystem.<br/>IL-2 hasbeen found to be similar to IL-15 in terms of function. Both cytokines areable to facilitate production of immunoglobulins made by B cells and inducethe differentiation and proliferation of natural killer cells. The primarydifferences between IL-2 and IL-15 are found in adaptive immune responses.For example, IL-2 participates in maintenance of T-Regs and reducesselfreactive T cells. On the other hand, IL-15 is necessary for maintaininghighly specific T cell responses by supporting survival of CD8 memory Tcells.
Synonyms
IL-2;interleukin 2;TCGF;lymphokine;interleukin-2;aldesleukin;T cell growth factor;involved in regulation of T-cell clonal expansion;Il2;OTTMUSP00000007837;T-cell growth factor
IL2 involved in several pathways and played different roles in them. We selected most pathways IL2 participated on our site, such as Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction,PIK-Akt signaling pathway,Jak-STAT signaling pathway, which may be useful for your reference. Also, other proteins which involved in the same pathway with IL2 were listed below. Creative BioMart supplied nearly all the proteins listed, you can search them on our site.
IL2 has several biochemical functions, for example, carbohydrate binding,cytokine activity,glycosphingolipid binding. Some of the functions are cooperated with other proteins, some of the functions could acted by IL2 itself. We selected most functions IL2 had, and list some proteins which have the same functions with IL2. You can find most of the proteins on our site.
IL2 has direct interactions with proteins and molecules. Those interactions were detected by several methods such as yeast two hybrid, co-IP, pull-down and so on. We selected proteins and molecules interacted with IL2 here. Most of them are supplied by our site. Hope this information will be useful for your research of IL2.
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