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Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and its receptor

  • Growth Factors and Hormones
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Abstract

The interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor system which is responsible for T-cell cycle progression is a unique hormone-receptor system in that both the ligand and the receptor need to be induced. In the present article I will review the biological and molecular characteristics of IL-2 and its receptor, as well as the differential triggering and growth requirements that L3T4+(T4+) helper and Lyt-2+ (T8+) cytotoxic/suppressor T-cells display to respond. The various mechanisms of regulation operating to restrain clonal IL-2-dependent expansion of normal T-lymphocytes will be discussed.

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Larsson, EL. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and its receptor. Med. Oncol. & Tumor Pharmacother. 3, 231–236 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02934999

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