Ultra-LEAF™ Purified anti-rat IL-2 Antibody, IL-2, A23106B,BioLegend,637953

Interleukin 2 was discovered through its function as a T cell growth factor (TCGF). IL-2 binds to the IL-2 receptor which is expressed in T and B cells, thymocytes, and NK cells. IL-2 receptor comprises of three distinct components; cytokine-specific α-chain, and the β- and γc-subunits which are shared with the IL-15 receptor. In addition, the γc-subunit is a component of a series of other cytokine receptors belonging to the γc cytokine receptor family including IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-21 (3). IL-2 signaling may play a major role in the differentiation of regulatory T cells (4). IL-2, IL-15, and IL-7 can all support NK cell differentiation. IL-2(-/-), IL-2Rα(-/-) mice fail to exhibit significant defects in NK cell development. This data suggests that IL-2 might have a redundant role in NK cell differentiation (4).