Human Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is expressed by the IL15 gene located on the chromosome 4. It shares approximately 97 % and 73 % sequence identity with simian and murine IL-15, respectively. Both human and simian IL-15 are active on murine cells. IL-15 is secreted by mononuclear phagocytes (and some other cells), especially macrophages following infection by virus. It possesses a variety of biological functions, including stimulating and maintaining of cellular immune responses, especially regulating T and natural killer (NK) cell activation and proliferation. In additionally, it shares many biological properties with IL-2, including T, B and NK cell-stimulatory activities. IL-15 signals through a complex composed of IL-2/IL-15 receptor beta chain. Although IL-15 lacks sequence homology with IL-2, it has recently been shown that both the beta and gamma chains of the IL-2 receptor are utilized for IL-15 binding and signaling. In addition, an IL-15 specific binding protein has also been cloned from a mouse T cell clone.
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