The IL-2 receptor complex: expression and function on normal and leukemic B cells.
The interleukin 2 receptor (IL-2R) is composed of at least three different chains that may be variably expressed on normal and neoplastic lymphocytes. While considerable knowledge has been gained on the expression of the IL-2R alpha chain on human leukemic cells of different origin, less is known of the beta and gamma chains. In view of the highly pleiotropic functions exerted by IL-2, the IL-2-IL-2R interactions may play an important role in various leukemias. In this review we focus on the expression and function of the IL-2R complex on human normal and leukemic B cells. Possible implications in the expansion of the neoplastic clone and in the clinical course of the disease are discussed.
de Totero
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Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Laboratorio di Patologia Clinica, Genova, Italy.
Francia di Celle
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P
Cignetti
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A
Foa
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R
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D007943:Leukemia, Hairy Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D007376:Interleukin-2; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2