What Are Interleukins?

Interleukin, referred to as interleukin, is a lymphokine that interacts with white blood cells or immune cells. It is a cytokine that is the same as blood cell growth factor. The two coordinate and interact with each other to complete the functions of hematopoietic and immune regulation. Interleukins play an important role in transmitting information, activating and regulating immune cells, mediating T, B cell activation, proliferation and differentiation, and in inflammatory responses.

Chinese name: Interleukin
Foreign name: Interleukin

Full name: Interleukin
Nature: Leukocyte interacting lymphokine

Interleukin Overview

Interleukins are a class of cytokines produced by and acting on a variety of cells. Since it was originally produced by leukocytes and functions between leukocytes, it is named after this and is still used today. Originally referring to cytokines produced by white blood cells and regulating between white blood cells, it now refers to a class of cytokines whose molecular structure and biological function have been basically clarified and have important regulatory functions. They are both cytokines and blood cell growth factors. The two coordinate and interact with each other to complete the functions of hematopoietic and immune regulation. Interleukins play an important role in transmitting information, activating and regulating immune cells, mediating T, B cell activation, proliferation and differentiation, and in inflammatory responses. ^[1]

Interleukin abbreviated as IL, functionally relates to the expression and regulation of the immune response. This regulation involves many factors derived from lymphocytes or macrophages. Lymphocytes are derived from lymphocytes, and collectively derived from macrophages are called monokine. The biological activities of each factor are different (such as macrophage activation, promoting T cell reproduction, etc.), the physical chemistry of the factor itself The nature is unclear. ^[1]

During the research on immune response, many biologically active molecules were found in the mitogen-stimulated cell culture supernatant. Researchers named each after their own measured activity, and more than a hundred factors have been reported for more than ten years. . Later comparative studies with the help of molecular biology techniques found that many factors named for biological activity in the past were actually the same substance with multiple effects.

Interleukin characteristics

Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 15,000, which has an effect on T cell activation and growth. IL-2 is mainly produced by CD4 + and CD8 + T cells, and IL-2 mainly works in an autocrine or paracrine manner. Among different species, IL-2 is binding upward along the pedigree, but not binding downward. IL-2 is an important cytokine involved in the immune response, and is involved in antitumor effects and transplant rejection.

Interleukin effect

IL-2T Effect of interleukin IL-2 on T cells

IL-2 is a T cell growth factor that enables T cells to survive for a long time in a test tube and stimulates T cells to enter the cell division cycle. IL-2 can enhance the killing activity of T cells. Together with IL-4, IL-5 and IL-6, it can induce the production of cytotoxic T cells (Tc), and greatly enhance its activity and prolong its growth period. ; In vivo IL-2 can also enhance the antigen-induced TC activity, and even help antigens and haptens induce TC & not; directly in mole rats.

TCs induced by IL-2 can produce significant anti-tumor effects after they are introduced into the body, but TCs are not easy to survive in the body. If a small amount of IL-2 is input at the same time, the survival time of Tc in the body can be significantly extended and its anti-tumor effect can be enhanced effect. IL-2 can induce T cells to secrete cytokines such as IFN-, TNF, CSF.

IL-2NK Effect of interleukin IL-2 on NK cells

IL-2 can promote the proliferation of NK cells and maintain the long-term growth of NK cells. After tumor patients were treated with IL-2, the number of NK cells in the blood increased significantly. IL-2 can enhance NK cell activity in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, IL-2 can enhance NK cell activity in a short time. After treatment with IL-2, tumor cells' NK cell activity significantly increased, and there was a cumulative effect. As the dose of IL-2 increased and the course of treatment extended, the activity of NK cells continued to increase, and IL-2 could correct NK. Cells are in a state of low activity, making them return to normal or exceed normal. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs, 10% of which are NK cells) from patients with leukemia have obvious cytotoxic effects after being cultured with IL-2, and are then returned to patients for treatment of leukemia. IL-2 can also promote NK cells to secrete IFN- and increase its expression of IL-2R + subunits. ^[2]

IL-2LAKTIL Effect of interleukin IL-2 on LAK and TIL cells

IL-2 can promote the survival, expansion and activation of LAK, TIL cells in vitro (ie lymphokine activated killer cells). LAK is a killer cell with high antitumor effect produced by lymphocytes in contact with IL-2. LAK can only be produced in the presence of IL-2, and LAK can only exert its effect in the presence of IL-2. Experiments have shown that the viability of LAK cells obtained by culturing lymphocytes with IL-2 is 100-1000 times stronger than that without IL-2, and that LAK only recognizes tumor antigens and has no effect on host normal cells. The combination of LAK and IL-2 has obvious antitumor effects on both primary and metastatic tumors. ^[3]

Although LAK and IL-2 have been used to treat tumors, clinical results have been obtained. However, in the preparation of LAK, a large amount of peripheral blood mononuclear cells must be extracted, and multiple reinfusions must be used with large doses of IL-2. This is expensive and has large toxic side effects. People are trying to find a method with good antitumor effect and small toxic and side effects. In 1986, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) were isolated from solid tumor tissues, which can be amplified in large quantities by activating IL-2 in vitro. And it has a high killing effect on tumor cells. Its in vitro killing effect is 50 to 100 times stronger than LAK. It only needs to be used with a small amount of IL-2 to exert obvious anti-tumor effects with little toxic and side effects. ^[3]

IL-2B Effect of interleukin IL-2 on B cells

IL-2 can promote B cells to express IL-2R, promote B cells to proliferate and produce immunoglobulins, and stimulate macrophages to increase their phagocytic capacity. In recent years, it has been found that recombinant IL-2 can stimulate the growth and maturation of certain central nervous cells, and act on morphin peptide receptors to produce analgesic effects. Regarding interleukin-2 (IL-2) to regulate immune effect.

IL-2 Effect of interleukin IL-2 on tumor cells

The antitumor effect of IL-2 is not only related to LAK and TIL, but also to its induction of NO production. Experiments have found that skin cancer of Meth A mice that is not effective for LAK, treatment with IL-2 shows prolonged survival, and the NO2 & not; & not; & not;-content in the urine of mice is 8 times higher than that of the control group; L-NMMA can reduce the NO content in urine by 60%, and greatly shorten the survival period of the IL-2 group, suggesting that IL-2 induces NO synthesis, which is one of its antitumor mechanisms. ^[4]