The interleukin (IL)-2 family cytokines: Survival and proliferation signaling pathways in T lymphocytes

Benczik, Márta and Gaffen, Sarah L. (2004) The interleukin (IL)-2 family cytokines: Survival and proliferation signaling pathways in T lymphocytes. IMMUNOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS, 33 (2). pp. 109-142. ISSN 0882-0139

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Abstract

Lymphocyte populations in the immune system are maintained by a well-organized balance between cellular proliferation, cellular survival and programmed cell death (apoptosis). One of the primary functions of many cytokines is to coordinate these processes. In particular, the interleukin (IL)-2 family of cytokines, which consists of six cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15 and IL-21) that all share a common receptor subunit (gammac), plays a major role in promoting and maintaining T lymphocyte populations. The details of the molecular signaling pathways mediated by these cytokines have not been fully elucidated. However, the three major pathways clearly involved include the JAK/STAT, MAPK and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways. The details of these pathways as they apply to the IL-2 family of cytokines is discussed, with a focus on their roles in proliferation and survival signaling.

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