The Lasting Impact of IL-2: Approaching 50 Years of Advancing Immune Tolerance, Cancer Immunotherapies, and Autoimmune Diseases.

IF 2.4 4区医学 Q3 IMMUNOLOGY

Immunological Investigations Pub Date : 2025-07-01 Epub Date: 2025-03-17 DOI:10.1080/08820139.2025.2479609

Prajita Paul, Cherry Choong, Joseph Heinemann, Rafid Al-Hallaf, Zainab Agha, Shaan Ganatra, Lina Abdulrahman, Agastya Sinha, Harrsha Kumar, Bardia Nourbakhsh, Abdel Rahim A Hamad

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: The discovery of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and its receptor (IL-2R) almost 50 years ago revolutionized immunology, marking a pivotal moment in understanding T cell biology and immune regulation. Initially identified as a T cell growth factor, IL-2 unveiled critical insights into cytokine-mediated immune cell proliferation and differentiation.

Methods: This review highlighted the characterization of IL-2R as a multi-chain receptor complex set a precedent for decoding cytokine receptor signaling. The unique interplay between IL-2 and its high-affinity receptor component, IL-2Rα, epitomizes the principle of specificity and efficiency in cytokine signaling, enabling precise immune modulation. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) exploit IL-2Rα high affinity to outcompete effector T cells for IL-2, ensuring immune tolerance and preventing autoimmunity.

Results: Despite its foundational role in immune homeostasis, leveraging IL-2 for therapeutic purposes has proven challenging.

Conclusion: IL-2-based therapies hold transformative potential in autoimmunity, cancer immunology, and transplantation, yet they remain elusive due to the complex balance between immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive effects. This review explores the milestones in IL-2 biology, its dualistic functions, and the ongoing quest to harness its therapeutic promise.

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IL-2 的持久影响：推动免疫耐受、癌症免疫疗法和自身免疫疾病发展的 50 年历程。

近50年前，白细胞介素-2 （IL-2）及其受体（IL-2R）的发现彻底改变了免疫学，标志着理解T细胞生物学和免疫调节的关键时刻。最初被确定为T细胞生长因子，IL-2揭示了细胞因子介导的免疫细胞增殖和分化的关键见解。方法：本综述强调了IL-2R作为多链受体复合物的特性，为解码细胞因子受体信号提供了先例。IL-2与其高亲和受体组分IL-2Rα之间的独特相互作用体现了细胞因子信号传导的特异性和效率原则，从而实现精确的免疫调节。调节性T细胞（Tregs）利用IL-2Rα的高亲和力与效应T细胞竞争IL-2，确保免疫耐受并防止自身免疫。结果：尽管IL-2在免疫稳态中具有基础作用，但利用IL-2用于治疗目的已被证明具有挑战性。结论：基于il -2的治疗方法在自身免疫、癌症免疫和移植方面具有变革潜力，但由于免疫刺激和免疫抑制作用之间的复杂平衡，它们仍然难以捉摸。这篇综述探讨了IL-2生物学的里程碑，它的双重功能，以及利用它的治疗前景的持续探索。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Immunological Investigations 医学-免疫学

CiteScore

5.50

自引率

7.10%

发文量

审稿时长

3 months

期刊介绍： Disseminating immunological developments on a worldwide basis, Immunological Investigations encompasses all facets of fundamental and applied immunology, including immunohematology and the study of allergies. This journal provides information presented in the form of original research articles and book reviews, giving a truly in-depth examination of the latest advances in molecular and cellular immunology.