Scientific background: |
IL-2, Interleukin-2, formerly referred to as T-cell growth factor, is a powerfully immunoregulatory lymphokine that is produced by lectin-or antigen-activated T cells. In situ hybridization, the IL-2 gene is assigned to 4q26-q28. IL2 can act as a growth hormone for both B and T lymphocytes. It is useful in the study of the molecular nature of T-cell differentiation and, like interferons, augments natural killer cell activity. |
References: |
1. Lowenthal, J. W., Zubler, R. H., Nabholz, M., MacDonald, H. R.Similarities between interleukin-2 receptor number and affinity on activated B and T lymphocytes.Nature 315: 669-672, 1985.
2. Seigel, L. J., Harper, M. E., Wong-Staal, F., Gallo, R. C., Nash, W. G., O'Brien, S. J.Gene for T-cell growth factor: location on human chromosome 4q and feline chromosome B1.Science 223: 175-178, 1984.
3. Weinberg, K., Parkman, R.Severe combined immunodeficiency due to a specific defect in the production of interleukin-2.New Eng. J. Med. 322: 1718-1723, 1990.
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