IL-2

Interleukin 2 (IL-2) was initially identified as a T cell growth factor that is produced by T cells following activation by mitogens or antigens. Since then, it has also been shown to stimulate the growth and differentiation of B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, lymphocyte activated killer (LAK) cells, monocytes/macrophages and oligodendrocytes. At the amino acid sequence level, there is approximately 60% - 90% similarity between species. Mature human IL-2 shows 65%, 67%, 72%, 78%, and 64% aa identity to mouse, rat, pig, cat, and cow IL-2, respectively.