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Review
. 2006 Mar;27(3):109-11.
doi: 10.1016/j.it.2006.01.005. Epub 2006 Feb 3.

The dichotomous role of IL-2: tolerance versus immunity

Zoltán Fehérvari  1 , Tomoyuki Yamaguchi, Shimon Sakaguchi
Affiliations
Review

The dichotomous role of IL-2: tolerance versus immunity

Zoltán Fehérvari et al. Trends Immunol. 2006 Mar.

Abstract

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a well-known T-cell growth factor, which is traditionally implicated in the agonistic stimulation of immune responses. Recent work, however, has uncovered an unexpected function of this cytokine. In particular, IL-2 appears crucial to maintaining peripheral tolerance by supporting the survival and function of CD25+ CD4+ regulatory T cells. A recent study examining the role of IL-2 in the peripheral generation of regulatory T cells from apparently naïve T cells has gone some way to reconciling the seemingly opposing functions of this cytokine.

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