Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a cytokine produced by activated T cells in response to antigen stimulation. IL-2 is important for proliferation of lymphocytes, natural killer cells and macrophages and in the differentiation of CD4+ cells into Th1 and Th2 effector cells. The effects of IL-2 are mediated by the signalling activated by its binding to IL-2 receptor (IL-2 R). IL-2 activates key signalling pathways such as MAPK, JAK/STAT as well as PI3K/Akt. Activation of these pathways modulates production of inflammatory cytokines, survival and progression through cell cycle
Monoclonal Anti-Interleukin-2 recognizes human Interleukin-2. It also neutralizes recombinant, mouse IL-2, but requires 30-50 times the antibody concentration required to neutralize human IL-2.