Targeting IL-15 as a therapeutic strategy in organ transplant rejection.
Much effort is currently directed towards generating and evaluating agents that target the individual components of the alloimmune response, with a view to promoting allograft survival accompanied by minimum side effects. Recently, there has been considerable interest in inhibiting individual cytokine/receptor interactions since they are key elements in pathways for differentiation of immune effector cells. This article examines the utility of targeting interactions of interleukin (IL)-15 with its receptor as a strategy for disabling the T-cell activation events following recognition of foreign major and minor histocompatibility antigens. Experimental evidence suggests that interrupting IL-15/IL-15R interaction may be of therapeutic value in preventing allograft rejection.
Smith
Xin G
XG
University Department of Surgery, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK. emb34@cam.ak.uk
Bolton
Eleanor M
EM
Bradley
J Andrew
JA
D000818:Animals; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice
D019409:Interleukin-15