IL-2 ELISA Kit, Human

BACKGROUND Interleukin-2 (IL-2) was identified based on its potent T-cell growth-factor activity and is traditionally implicated in the agonistic stimulation of immune responses. As IL-2 is mainly produced by activated T cells and, in particular, by activated CD4+ T-helper cells, at least part of their ‘helper' function for CD8+ T cells was attributed to IL-2.¹ With respect to immune-enhancing functions, IL-2 has a role in supporting proliferation and survival of T cells, and differentiation of naive T cells into effector and memory cells. Evidence indicates that IL-2 is also an important factor that allows the generation of memory T cells, which are able to undergo secondary expansion when they re-encounter an antigen. Furthermore, IL-2 has the ability to overcome the proliferation block of anergic cells generated in vitro and, in certain situations, also in vivo.² In opposition to these immune-enhancing functions, IL-2 can promote activation-induced cell death (AICD) of T cells and was therefore implicated in downregulating antigen-specific T-cell numbers after the clonal expansion phase of an immune response.³ Moreoevr, IL-2 also has anti-inflammatory properties, as do other pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interferon-γ (IFNγ). In a similar process to IFNγ—which exerts anti-inflammatory properties by suppressing T-helper 17 cells—IL-2 can constrain IL-17 production, and exert its immunosuppressive function by stimulating the generation and homeostasis of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (TREG). Indeed, IL-2 is a non-redundant factor for the in vivo homeostasis of TREG, which constitute a fundamental part of immunological self-tolerance and immune regulation.⁴

 

REFERENCES  

1. Malek, T.R.: Annu Rev Immunol. 26:453-79, 2008
2. Waldmann, T.A.: Nat Rev Immunol. 6:595-601, 2006
3. Bachmann, M.F. & Oxenius, A.: EMBO Rep. 8:1142-8, 2007
4. Turka, L.A. & Walsh, P.T.: Front Biosci. 13:1440-6, 2008 
 

 

ELISA Kits are based on standard sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technology. Freshly prepared standards, samples, and solutions are recommended for best results.