A substance produced by T-lymphocytes that stimulates activated T-lymphocytes and some activated B-Lymphocytes to proliferate. Also known as T-Cell growth factor.
n. any of a family of proteins that control some aspects of haemopoiesis and the immune response (see cytokines). Many interleukins are currently characterized. Interleukin 1 (IL-1) is an inflammatory mediator. Interleukin 2 (IL-2) stimulates T lymphocytes to become *natural killer cells, active against cancer cells, and is being investigated for the treatment of cancer: recombinant interleukin 2 (aldesleukin, Proleukin), administered by subcutaneous injection, can be of benefit in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.
Interleukins are lymphokines – that is, polypeptides produced by activated lymphocytes. They are involved in signalling between cells of the immune system (see IMMUNITY) and are released by several cell types, including lymphocytes. They interact to control the immune response of cells and also participate in HAEMOPOIESIS. There are seven varieties, interleukins 1 to 7. For example, interleukin 1 is produced as a result of in?ammation and stimulates the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes, enhancing the immune response by stimulating other lymphocytes and activating dormant T cells. Interleukin 2 has anti-cancer effects as it is able to activate T lymphocytes to become killer cells which destroy foreign antigens (see ANTIGEN) such as cancer cells, and this anti-cancer e?ect is being developed for clinical use. The remaining interleukins have a range of properties in cell growth and di?erentiation.... interleukins
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