The roles of interleukin-15 receptor α: Trans-presentation, receptor component, or both?

Kimberly S. Schluns, Thomas Stoklasek, Leo Lefrançois

Research output: Contribution to journalShort surveypeer-review

74 Scopus citations

Abstract

Interleukin-15 receptor α (IL-15Rα) is a high affinity IL-15 binding protein that is crucial for mediating IL-15 functions such as memory CD8 T cell proliferation and NK, NK/T cell, and intestinal intraepithelial lymphocyte development. However, the mechanism by which IL-15Rα mediates IL-15 functions is unique among cytokines. Originally, IL-15Rα was thought to be a component of a heterotrimeric receptor complex containing the IL-2/IL-15Rβ and common γ chains (γC) that were required for mediating signaling. Although IL-15Rα may in some cases act as a component of this receptor complex, more recent evidence indicates that IL-15Rα predominately functions by presenting IL-15 to opposing cells expressing the IL-15Rβγ signaling components. This theory is consistent with the broad, non-lymphoid expression pattern of IL-15Rα and the evidence that IL-15Rα expression by lymphocytes is dispensable for IL-15 action in vivo. This new concept of cytokine delivery will allow us to better understand the regulation and function IL-15.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1567-1571
Number of pages5
JournalInternational Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Volume37
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2005

Keywords

  • Cytokine
  • IL-15
  • Immunological memory
  • Lymphoid development

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

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