title: Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and its receptor.
abstract: The interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor system which is responsible for T-cell cycle progression is a unique hormone-receptor system in that both the ligand and the receptor need to be induced. In the present article I will review the biological and molecular characteristics of IL-2 and its receptor, as well as the differential triggering and growth requirements that L3T4+ (T4+) helper and Lyt-2+ (T8+) cytotoxic/suppressor T-cells display to respond. The various mechanisms of regulation operating to restrain clonal IL-2-dependent expansion of normal T-lymphocytes will be discussed.
mesh_terms: D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2