Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a cytokine that plays roles in responding to microbial infection. It is produced primarily by activated T cells. IL-2 mediates its effects by binding to its receptors expressed by T cells, B cells, NK cells, and APCs. The interaction between IL-2 and IL-2R leads to stimulation of the growth, differentiation and survival of antigen-selected cytotoxic T cells via the activation of the expression of specific genes. IL-2 is also necessary during T cell development in the thymus for the maturation of a unique subset of T cells. In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), IL-2 production by T lymphocytes in vitro is impaired.
 
Detection Range:
    16 - 1000 pg/mL
Sensitivity:
    4 pg/mL