title: Application of IL-2 therapy to target T regulatory cell function.
abstract: Interleukin-2 (IL-2) was originally discovered as a growth factor for activated T cells in vitro. IL-2 promotes CD8(+) T cell growth and differentiation in vivo, but has little effect on CD4(+) T cell function. Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) express all three chains (CD25, CD122, and CD132) of the IL-2 receptor complex and are dependent on IL-2 for survival and function. Exogenous IL-2 can augment Treg cell numbers in vivo and may have therapeutic value in the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Complexes of IL-2 with different IL-2 antibodies can target delivery to cells expressing all three receptor chains (Treg cells and activated T effector cells) or to cells expressing just CD122 and CD132 (NK cells and memory phenotype CD8(+) T cells).
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunology, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. eshevach@niaid.nih.gov
authors.forename: Ethan M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Shevach
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D049108:Cell Enlargement; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2