Swine IL-16 ELISpot

IL-16 is a pleiotropic cytokine that has been characterized as a chemoattractant for certain immune cells expressing the cell surface molecule CD4, and has effects on mixed lymphocyte reaction and inhibition of HIV viral replication. IL-16 forms homotetramers and this structure is required for its bioactivity. The cytokine function is exclusively attributed to the secreted C-terminal peptide, while the N-terminal product may play a role in cell cycle control. IL-16 is released by a variety of immune (T cells, esinophils, and dendritic cells) and non-immune (fibroblasts, epithelial, and neurona) cells. In the non-diseased state, IL-16 mRNA is almost exclusively expressed on lymphatic tissue, and high levels in T cells. During inflammation, IL-16 is synthesized in a number of other tissues.