The role of interleukin-2 during homeostasis and activation of the immune system

O Boyman, J Sprent - Nature Reviews Immunology, 2012 - nature.com
Nature Reviews Immunology, 2012nature.com
Abstract Interleukin-2 (IL-2) signals influence various lymphocyte subsets during
differentiation, immune responses and homeostasis. As discussed in this Review,
stimulation with IL-2 is crucial for the maintenance of regulatory T (TReg) cells and for the
differentiation of CD4+ T cells into defined effector T cell subsets following antigen-mediated
activation. For CD8+ T cells, IL-2 signals optimize both effector T cell generation and
differentiation into memory cells. IL-2 is presented in soluble form or bound to dendritic cells …
Abstract
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) signals influence various lymphocyte subsets during differentiation, immune responses and homeostasis. As discussed in this Review, stimulation with IL-2 is crucial for the maintenance of regulatory T (TReg) cells and for the differentiation of CD4+ T cells into defined effector T cell subsets following antigen-mediated activation. For CD8+ T cells, IL-2 signals optimize both effector T cell generation and differentiation into memory cells. IL-2 is presented in soluble form or bound to dendritic cells and the extracellular matrix. Use of IL-2 — either alone or in complex with particular neutralizing IL-2-specific antibodies — can amplify CD8+ T cell responses or induce the expansion of the TReg cell population, thus favouring either immune stimulation or suppression.
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