Kennedy M K, Park L S
Immunex Corporation, Seattle, Washington 98101-2936, USA.
J Clin Immunol. 1996 May;16(3):134-43. doi: 10.1007/BF01540911.
IL-15 interacts with a heterotrimeric receptor that consists of the beta and gamma subunits of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) as well as a specific, high-affinity IL-15-binding subunit, which is designated IL-15R alpha. Since both the beta and the gamma subunits of the IL-2R are required for signaling by either IL-2 or IL-15, it is not surprising that these cytokines share many activities in vitro. However, the differential expression of these cytokines and the alpha chains of their receptors within various tissues and cell types suggests that IL-2 and IL-15 may perform at least partially distinct physiological functions. The production of IL-15 by macrophages, and possibly other cell types, in response to environmental stimuli and infectious agents suggests that IL-15 may play a role in protective immune responses, allograft rejection, and the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.
白细胞介素-15（IL-15）与一种异源三聚体受体相互作用，该受体由白细胞介素-2受体（IL-2R）的β和γ亚基以及一个特定的、高亲和力的IL-15结合亚基组成，该亚基被命名为IL-15Rα。由于IL-2R的β和γ亚基都是IL-2或IL-15信号传导所必需的，因此这些细胞因子在体外具有许多共同活性也就不足为奇了。然而，这些细胞因子及其受体α链在各种组织和细胞类型中的差异表达表明，IL-2和IL-15可能至少部分地执行不同的生理功能。巨噬细胞以及可能的其他细胞类型在对环境刺激和感染因子作出反应时产生IL-15，这表明IL-15可能在保护性免疫反应、同种异体移植排斥反应和自身免疫性疾病的发病机制中发挥作用。
