The Biology of Interleukin-2
Abstract
Much data support an essential role for interleukin (IL)-2 in immune tolerance. This idea is much different from the early paradigm in which IL-2 is central for protective immune responses. This change in thinking occurred when a T regulatory cell defect was shown to be responsible for the lethal autoimmunity associated with IL-2/IL-2R deficiency. This realization allowed investigators to explore immune responses in IL-2-nonresponsive mice rendered autoimmune-free. Such studies established that IL-2 sometimes contributes to optimal primary immune responses, but it is not mandatory. Emerging findings, however, suggest an essential role for IL-2 in immune memory. Here, the current understanding of the dual role of IL-2 in maintaining tolerance and contributing to immunity in vivo is reviewed with some emphasis on T regulatory cell production and homeostasis. Also discussed are implications of this new appreciation concerning the immunobiology of IL-2 with respect to targeting IL-2 or its receptor in immunotherapy.
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Treg cells are unable to produce IL-2 themselves.
“but are unable to produce IL-2 themselves.”
From T <sub>H</sub> 17 cells require ongoing classic IL-6 receptor signaling to retain transcriptional and functional identity (2020) · cites this paper as [69]
Treg cells are thought to rely on production of IL-2 by activated naive or other effector T cells.
“Instead, they are thought to rely on production of IL-2 by activated naive or other effector T cells (69)”
From T <sub>H</sub> 17 cells require ongoing classic IL-6 receptor signaling to retain transcriptional and functional identity (2020) · cites this paper as [69]
Treg cells require IL-2 for both their development and maintenance.
“Treg cells require IL-2 for both their development and maintenance (69)”
From T <sub>H</sub> 17 cells require ongoing classic IL-6 receptor signaling to retain transcriptional and functional identity (2020) · cites this paper as [69]
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- Authors
- Malek, T. R.
- Affiliations
- University of Miami (US)
- Corresponding author
- Malek, Thomas R.
- ORCID
- Malek, Thomas R.
- Venue
- Annual Review of Immunology
- Publisher
- Annual Reviews
- Published
- 2008-04-01
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 453-479
- ISSN
- 0732-0582 (ISSN-L)
- 1545-3278
- OpenAlex
- W2153142861
- Cited by
- 1,079
- References
- 5
- Citations by year
- 2026: 38 · 2025: 59 · 2024: 65 · 2023: 50 · 2022: 82 · 2021: 44 · 2020: 88 · 2019: 52 · 2018: 59 · 2017: 49 · 2016: 57 · 2015: 52 · 2014: 78 · 2013: 71 · 2012: 56
- FWCI
- 3.05
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Annual Review of Immunology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › T-cell and B-cell Immunology
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Psoriasis: Treatment and Pathogenesis
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cytokine Signaling Pathways and Interactions
- Keywords
- interleukin-2, immune tolerance, regulatory T cells, autoimmunity, primary immune response, immunological memory, T cell homeostasis, immunotherapy
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Humans, Immunity, Immunologic Memory, Immunotherapy, Interleukin-2, Receptors, Interleukin-2, Autoimmunity, T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
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