Interleukin-15

Interleukin-15 is 14-15 kDa, pleiotropic, proinflammatory cytokine (glycoprotein). The cytokine is mainly expressed in muscle and placental tissue, but not on T-lymphocytes. The gene coding for interleukin-15 is located on chromosome 4.

Interleukin-15 binds to several receptors, for example to lymphoid cells via the tetratrimeric receptor IL-2/IL-14Rbeta. In bone marrow stromal cells and thymus cells, interleukin-15 binds to receptors that have no affinity for interleukin-2. Furthermore, the cytokine activates mast cells. The induction of mast cells is mediated by another type of receptor.

Interleukin-15 has a broad biological effect on various cell systems. Interleukin-15 stimulates, among other things, the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes and NK cells in the blood (and also in tissue).

The cytokine plays a dominant role in the development of inflammatory responses to microbial agents or invading parasites by modulating the response of both the adaptive and innate immune response.

Interleukin-15 differentiated dendritic cells are potential vaccine candidates in tumor therapy.

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