title: The human interleukin-2 receptor: normal and abnormal expression in T cells and in leukemias induced by the human T-lymphotropic retroviruses.
abstract: The human receptor for interleukin-2 (T-cell growth factor) plays a critical role in the growth of T cells and is required for full expression of the normal immune response. Through hybridoma and recombinant DNA techniques, the interleukin-2 receptor protein has been biochemically characterized and purified; full-length copies of its complementary DNA have been molecularly cloned, sequenced, and expressed in eukaryotic cells; and the receptor gene has been characterized. Transient expression of the interleukin-2 receptor gene occurs during normal T-cell activation, and high- and low-affinity forms of the membrane receptor exist. A naturally occurring, soluble receptor has also been isolated, and its levels in serum correlate with the activity of various diseases. Deregulation of interleukin-2 receptor expression occurs in T-cell leukemias produced by the human T-lymphotropic retroviruses types I and II (HTLV-I and -II) and has been causally linked to the action of the trans-activator (taf) gene of these viruses. Monoclonal antibodies specific for the interleukin-2 receptor are being evaluated in the treatment of HTLV-I-induced leukemias and other conditions involving the inappropriate function of activated T cells.
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000906:Antibodies / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001483:Base Sequence; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005814:Genes, Viral; D006801:Humans; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D012192:Retroviridae Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D012995:Solubility; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D014118:Toxins, Biological; D014764:Viral Proteins