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Targeting human IL-2 receptors for diagnosis and therapy
1Immunophysiology Section, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Abstract:
The high-affinity interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) is a multichain receptor with at least three IL-2 binding chains: IL-2R alpha (55 kDa) bound by the monoclonal antibody anti-Tac, IL-2R beta (75 kDa) and Il-2R gamma (64 kDa). The IL-2R alpha also exists as a naturally occurring soluble molecule (sIL-2R alpha). We target the IL-2R for immune intervention since resting normal cells do not express the high-affinity IL-2R, whereas this receptor is on some cells in certain lymphoid neoplasias, select autoimmune disorders, and in individuals rejecting organ allografts. Treatments have included unmodified murine anti-Tac and radioisotopes conjugated to murine anti-Tac. Our emerging understanding of the IL-2R system continues to open possibilities for more specific immune intervention.