ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the available information regarding the structure, molecular biology, and biology of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and the IL-2-receptor. It also discusses the various pharmacological and toxicological effects associated with the in vitro and in vivo use of IL-2. The primary structure of IL-2 has been deduced in seven mammalian species following the cloning of human, gibbon ape, murine, rat, bovine, ovine, and porcine IL-2 cDNAs. The low affinity IL-2 receptor (IL-2Roc, Tac antigen, P-55, CD25) and the intermediate-affinity receptor can bind IL-2 either separately or together following their noncovalent association at the cell surface to form the high-affinity IL-2 receptor complex. Several parameters relating to the production of IL-2, including type and concentration of mitogenic agents, stimulation with mitogen aloneversus mitogen plus phorbol myristate acetate, and serum concentration necessary to support lymphocyte proliferation, have been examined to establish optimum conditions for IL-2 production by T cells in various animal species.
