The IL-2 - IL-2 receptor pathway in health and disease: The role of the soluble IL-2 receptor.

Jan Damoiseaux

Clinical immunology (Orlando, Fla.) 2020 Sep

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The interleukin (IL)-2 - IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) pathway is important in immunity, but is also involved in maintenance of self-tolerance. This paradox is further complicated by shedding of the IL-2Rα chain, revealing soluble (s)IL-2R. Binding of IL-2 to sIL-2R may either reduce or enhance responses depending on the target cell being involved in immunity or self-tolerance. Since sIL-2R levels are increasingly measured in clinical practice, it is detrimental for clinical interpretation to understand the possible functional impact of IL-2R shedding. In this review the role of the IL-2 - IL-2R pathway is explored and the conflicting results on the function of sIL-2R are summarized. Finally, the added value of measuring sIL-2R in different types of diseases is being elaborated upon in terms of diagnosis, follow-up, and prognosis. Adequate interpretation of results is hampered by the apparent gap in our knowledge about the functional role of sIL-2R in immunity and tolerance. Copyright © 2020 The Author. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Citation

Jan Damoiseaux. The IL-2 - IL-2 receptor pathway in health and disease: The role of the soluble IL-2 receptor. Clinical immunology (Orlando, Fla.). 2020 Sep;218:108515