Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is a pleiotropic cytokine produced primarily by mitogen- or antigen- activated T lymphocytes.1 IL-2 plays a role in promoting the clonal expansion of antigen-specific cytotoxic and suppressor T cells. In vitro studies suggest that IL-2 may also be produced by dendritic cells and certain lymphoma cell lines.1 In addition, IL-2 has been shown to mediate multiple immune responses on a variety of cell types. IL-2 stimulates the proliferation of thymocytes; stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of activated B cells; promotes the growth, differentiation, and cytocidal activity of monocytes; induces the growth of natural killer cells and stimulates cytokine production by these cells, as well as enhancing the cytolytic activity of these cells; enhances the production of lymphocyte-activated killer (LAK) cells; and induces the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocytes.1
Results of this test are for research purposes only by the assay's manufacturer. The performance characteristics of this assay have not been established. Results should not be used as a diagnostic procedure without confirmation of the diagnosis by another medically established diagnostic product or procedure.