IL15-Polyclonal Antibodies

Interleukin 15 (IL-15) is a cytokine that shares many biological activities with IL-2. Both cytokines interact with the β and γ component of the IL-2 receptor. However, unlike IL-2 which is secreted only by T cells, IL-15 is expressed preferentially by nonlymphoid tissues, epithelial, and fibroblast cell lines (1). Two isoforms of human IL-15 are known. The longer form is localized to the plasma membrane or may be secreted, while the other (the shorter form) is found within the cytoplasm and the nucleus (2). IL-15 regulates T and natural killer cell activation and proliferation, causes B cell proliferation and differentiation and stimulates chemotaxis of T cells (3-4). It also induces the activation of JAK kinases, as well as the phosphorylation and activation of transcription activators STAT3, STAT5, and STAT6. High concentrations of IL-15 have been observed in inflamed joints of rheumatoid arthritis patients, suggesting a role for IL-15 in inflammatory diseases where there is recruitment of leukocytes (5).

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