title: Interleukin 2: a review.
abstract: Interleukin 2 (IL 2) is a central mediator of the growth and functional activity of B- and T-cells, and cytotoxic cells, including Natural Killer and Lymphokine Activated Killer cells. Significant defects in the production of, and response to, IL 2 have been described in a variety of congenital and acquired immunodeficiency states. IL 2 has demonstrated major anti-tumor activity in animal models. The biochemistry and molecular biology of IL 2 and its gene are reviewed, along with data regarding the IL 2 receptor, normal T-cell activation, abnormalities in IL 2 production and response in immunodeficiency states and leukemia, and initial explorations of IL 2 in the treatment of human cancer.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002999:Clone Cells; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007700:Kinetics; D007938:Leukemia / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000032:analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009841:Oligonucleotides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes