Use at an assay dependent concentration. Can be paired for Sandwich ELISA with Rabbit monoclonal [PSH05-71] to Rat IL-2 (Capture) (HA722423) and recombinant standard Rat IL-2 protein (HA210683) as the standard. The reference range value is 30.9-2,500 pg/mL.
Target
Function
Cytokine produced by activated CD4-positive helper T-cells and to a lesser extend activated CD8-positive T-cells and natural killer (NK) cells that plays pivotal roles in the immune response and tolerance. Binds to a receptor complex composed of either the high-affinity trimeric IL-2R (IL2RA/CD25, IL2RB/CD122 and IL2RG/CD132) or the low-affinity dimeric IL-2R (IL2RB and IL2RG). Interaction with the receptor leads to oligomerization and conformation changes in the IL-2R subunits resulting in downstream signaling starting with phosphorylation of JAK1 and JAK3. In turn, JAK1 and JAK3 phosphorylate the receptor to form a docking site leading to the phosphorylation of several substrates including STAT5. This process leads to activation of several pathways including STAT, phosphoinositide-3-kinase/PI3K and mitogen-activated protein kinase/MAPK pathways. Functions as a T-cell growth factor and can increase NK-cell cytolytic activity as well. Promotes strong proliferation of activated B-cells and subsequently immunoglobulin production. Plays a pivotal role in regulating the adaptive immune system by controlling the survival and proliferation of regulatory T-cells, which are required for the maintenance of immune tolerance. Moreover, participates in the differentiation and homeostasis of effector T-cell subsets, including Th1, Th2, Th17 as well as memory CD8-positive T-cells.
Background References
1. Miyazaki T., Kawahara A., Fujii H., Nakagawa Y., Minami Y., Liu Z.J., Oishi I., Silvennoinen O., Witthuhn B.A., Ihle J.N. Functional activation of Jak1 and Jak3 by selective association with IL-2 receptor subunits. Science 266:1045-1047 (1994)
2. Mingari M.C., Gerosa F., Carra G., Accolla R.S., Moretta A., Zubler R.H., Waldmann T.A., Moretta L. Human interleukin-2 promotes proliferation of activated B cells via surface receptors similar to those of activated T cells. Nature 312:641-643 (1984)
