Description

Genorise Recombinant Guinea Pig IL-2 Protein Summary

Alternative names for IL-2: Interleukin 2, IL2

Product Specifications

Background: 

IL-2 is an interleukin, a type of cytokine immune system signaling molecule. IL-2 is a T cell stimulatory cytokine best known for inducing T cell proliferation, the production of immunoglobulins made by B cells and differentiation and proliferation of natural killer cells (1,2). IL-2 is also necessary during T cell development in the thymus for the maturation of a unique subset of T cells that are termed regulatory T cells (T-regs) (3, 4, 5). Conversely, IL-2 is involved in activation induced cell death (AICD) that is observed post T cell expansion by increasing levels of Fas on CD4+ T cells (6). IL-2 signals through a trimeric receptor complex consisting of IL-2 receptor alpha (CD25), IL-2 receptor beta (CD122) and a common gamma chain (γc). IL-2 Rα binds exclusively to IL-2 with low affinity and increases binding affinity of the whole receptor complex including IL-2Rβ and γc subunits. IL-2Rβ is also used by IL-2. The common γc is shared by all members of this family of cytokines including IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-2, and IL-21. Binding of IL-2 activates the Ras/MAPK, JAK/Stat and PI 3-kinase/Akt signaling modules (1,2).

References

1. 1. Ma, A. et al. (2006) Annu Rev Immunol 24, 657-79.
   2. Gaffen, S.L. and Liu, K.D. (2004) Cytokine 28, 109-23.
   3. Sakaguchi S, et al (1995). J. Immunol. 155 (3): 1151–64.
   4. Fehérvari, Z. et al. (2006) Trends Immunol 27, 109-11.
   5. Antony, P.A. et al. (2006) J Immunol 176, 5255-66.
   6. Jaleco, S. et al. (2003) J Immunol 171, 61-8.

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