Background
Interleukin-2, also known as T-cell growth factor, TCGF, Aldesleukin and IL2, is a secreted protein which belongs to the IL-2 family. Interleukin-2 / IL-2 is produced by T-cells in response to antigenic or mitogenic stimulation, this protein is required for T-cell proliferation and other activities crucial to regulation of the immune response. Interleukin-2 / IL-2 is normally produced by the body during an immune response. Antigen binding to the T cell receptor (TCR) stimulates the secretion of Interleukin-2 / IL-2, and the expression of IL-2 receptors IL-2R. The IL-2 / IL-2R interaction then stimulates the growth, differentiation and survival of antigen-selected cytotoxic T cells via the activation of the expression of specific genes. Interleukin-2 / IL-2 can stimulate B-cells, monocytes, lymphokine-activated killer cells, natural killer cells, and glioma cells. The World Reference Standard for Interleukin-2 / IL-2 is produced by the National Institute of Biological Standards and Control in the UK. A recombinant form of Interleukin-2 / IL-2 for clinical use is manufactured by Chiron Corporation with the brand name Proleukin. It has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of cancers (malignant melanoma, renal cell cancer), and is in clinical trials for the treatment of chronic viral infections, and as a booster (adjuvant) for vaccines. The use of Interleukin-2 / IL-2 in HIV therapy has been found to be ineffective.
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