Institute of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2013 Oct;24(5):455-66. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2013.05.004. Epub 2013 Jun 21.
IL-15 is a member of the IL-2 family of cytokines whose signaling pathways are a bridge between innate and adaptive immune response. IL-15 is part of the intestinal mucosal barrier, and functions to modulate gut homeostasis. IL-15 has pivotal roles in the control of development, proliferation and survival of both innate and adaptive immune cells. IL-15 becomes up-regulated in the inflamed tissue of intestinal inflammatory disease, such as IBD, Celiac Disease and related complications. Indeed, several studies have reported that IL-15 may participate to the pathogenesis of these diseases. Furthermore, although IL-15 seems to be responsible for inflammation and autoimmunity, it also may increase the immune response against cancer. For these reasons, we decided to study the intestinal mucosa as an 'immunological niche', in which immune response, inflammation and local homeostasis are modulated. Understanding the role of the IL-15/IL-15R system will provide a scientific basis for the development of new approaches that use IL-15 for immunotherapy of autoimmune diseases and malignancies. Indeed, a better understanding of the complexity of the mucosal immune system will contribute to the general understanding of immuno-pathology, which could lead to new therapeutical tools for widespread immuno-mediated diseases.
白细胞介素-15（IL-15）是白细胞介素-2 家族细胞因子的成员，其信号通路是先天免疫和适应性免疫反应之间的桥梁。IL-15 是肠道黏膜屏障的一部分，其功能是调节肠道内稳态。IL-15 在先天免疫和适应性免疫细胞的发育、增殖和存活的控制中起着关键作用。IL-15 在肠道炎症性疾病（如炎症性肠病、乳糜泻和相关并发症）的炎症组织中上调。事实上，有几项研究报道称，IL-15 可能参与这些疾病的发病机制。此外，尽管 IL-15 似乎与炎症和自身免疫有关，但它也可能增强对癌症的免疫反应。出于这些原因，我们决定将肠道黏膜作为一个“免疫生态位”进行研究，在这个生态位中，免疫反应、炎症和局部内稳态受到调节。了解 IL-15/IL-15R 系统的作用将为利用 IL-15 进行自身免疫性疾病和恶性肿瘤的免疫治疗提供科学依据。事实上，对黏膜免疫系统复杂性的更好理解将有助于对免疫病理学的一般理解，这可能为广泛的免疫介导性疾病带来新的治疗工具。
