title: The IL-2 defect in systemic lupus erythematosus disease has an expansive effect on host immunity.
abstract: IL-2 production is decreased in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and affects T cell function and other aspects of host immunity. Transcription factors regulating IL-2 production behave aberrantly in SLE T cells. In addition to IL-2 dysregulation, other IL-2 family members (IL-15 and IL-21) are abnormally expressed in SLE. Decreased IL-2 production in SLE patients leads to many immune defects such as decreased T(reg) production, decreased activation-induced cell death (AICD), and decreased cytotoxicity. IL-2 deficiency results in systemic dysregulation of host immune responses in patients suffering from SLE disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, CLS 937, Boston, MA 02115, USA. llieber1@bidmc.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Linda A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Lieberman
authors.forename: George C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Tsokos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000276:immunology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000172:deficiency / Q000276:immunology*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000172:deficiency; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2