The interleukin-2/interleukin-2 receptor system: structural, immunological, and clinical features.
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) has been the first and more extensively studied cytokine, in particular for its central role in the mechanisms of cell growth and differentiation. The function of IL-2 is mediated through specific receptors (IL-2R) present on the membrane of reacting cells. Using hybridoma and recombinant DNA technologies, both IL-2 and IL-2R have been biochemically characterized and purified and are available for in vitro and in vivo studies. The biological and clinical investigations on IL-2/IL-2R system have contributed to opening new avenues for the comprehension of phenomena that are critically important for biology, immunology and medicine.
Semenzato
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Department of Clinical Medicine, Padua University School of Medicine, Italy.
Pizzolo
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Zambello
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R
D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D004194:Disease; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values
D007376:Interleukin-2; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2