Human IL2

IL2 (interleukin-2) is a O-glycosylated, four alpha -helix bundle cytokine, and it has potent stimulatory activity for antigen-activated T cells. IL2 is expressed by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, gamma _ T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, and eosinophils. The receptor for IL-2 consists of three subunits present on the cell surface in varying preformed complexes. IL-2 with its autocrine and paracrine activity on T cells drives resting T cells to proliferate and induces IL-2 and IL-2 R alpha synthesis. It, probably a key cytokine in the natural suppression of autoimmunity, plays a central part in the expansion and maintenance of regulatory T cells (1-5).