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Published on: March 14, 2016
Interleukin-15 interactions with interleukin-15 receptor complexes: characterization and species specificity
June Eisenman1, Minoo Ahdieh, Courtney Beers
1Department of Protein Chemistry, Immunex Corporation, 51 University Street, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA. eisenman@immunex.com
Cytokine
|November 28, 2002
Summary
Human and mouse Interleukin-15 (IL-15) show similar binding and proliferation when all receptor subunits are present. However, quantitative differences in activity exist when only the IL-2 receptor betagamma c subunits are used, impacting cross-species comparisons.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Cytokine Signaling
Background:
- Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and Interleukin-15 (IL-15) share common IL-2 receptor betagamma c (IL-2Rbetagamma c) subunits.
- Both cytokines possess unique alpha receptor subunits, influencing their specific interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the species specificity of human (hu), simian (si), and mouse (mu) IL-15.
- To compare the binding affinities and biological activities of different species' IL-15 across various receptor subunit combinations.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of IL-15 binding to IL-15 receptor alpha (IL-15Ralpha) and IL-2Rbetagamma c subunits.
- Assessment of cellular proliferative activities induced by hu, si, and mu IL-15.
- In vitro and in vivo studies evaluating cytokine activity in the presence and absence of IL-15Ralpha.
Main Results:
- Human and simian IL-15 exhibited similar behavior across all investigated systems.
- Human and mouse IL-15 demonstrated equal high-affinity binding to their respective IL-15Ralpha, irrespective of IL-2Rbetagamma c presence.
- Similar proliferative activities were observed when all three receptor subunits were present.
- Quantitative differences in specific activity were noted for human and mouse IL-15 when utilizing IL-2Rbetagamma c without IL-15Ralpha.
Conclusions:
- Human IL-15 can potentially be utilized in mouse model systems.
- Caution is advised when comparing the efficacy and toxicity of cytokines across different species due to observed quantitative differences.
