IL-2 receptor

interleukin 2 receptor, alpha chain
Identifiers
Symbol IL2RA
Alt. symbols IL2R CD25
Entrez 3559
HUGO 6008
OMIM 147730
RefSeq NM_000417
UniProt P01589
Other data
Locus Chr. 10 p15.1
interleukin 2 receptor, beta chain
Identifiers
Symbol IL2RB
Alt. symbols CD122
Entrez 3560
HUGO 6009
OMIM 146710
RefSeq NM_000878
UniProt P14784
Other data
Locus Chr. 22 q13
interleukin 2 receptor, gamma chain (severe combined immunodeficiency)
Identifiers
Symbol IL2RG
Alt. symbols SCIDX1, IMD4, CD132
Entrez 3561
HUGO 6010
OMIM 308380
RefSeq NM_000206
UniProt P31785
Other data
Locus Chr. X q13

The interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) is a heterotrimeric protein expressed on the surface of certain immune cells, such as lymphocytes, that binds and responds to a cytokine called IL-2.

Composition

IL-2 binds to the IL-2 receptor, which has three forms, generated by different combinations of three different proteins, often referred to as "chains": α (alpha) (also called IL-2Rα, CD25, or Tac antigen), β (beta) (also called IL-2Rβ, or CD122), and γ (gamma) (also called IL-2Rγ, γc, common gamma chain, or CD132); these subunits are also parts of receptors for other cytokines.[1]:713 The β and γ chains of the IL-2R are members of the type I cytokine receptor family.[2]

Structure-activity relationships of the IL-2/IL-2R interaction

The three receptor chains are expressed separately and differently on various cell types and can assemble in different combinations and orders to generate low, intermediate, and high affinity IL-2 receptors.

The α chain binds IL-2 with low affinity, the combination of β and γ together form a complex that binds IL-2 with intermediate affinity, primarily on memory T cells and NK cells; and all three receptor chains form a complex that binds IL-2 with high affinity (Kd ~ 10−11 M) on activated T cells and regulatory T cells The intermediate and high affinity receptor forms are functional and cause changes in the cell when IL-2 binds to them.[2]

The structure of the stable complex formed when IL-2 binds to the high affinity receptor has been determined using X-ray crystallography. The structure supports a model wherein IL-2 initially binds to the α chain, then the β is recruited, and finally γ.[2][3][4]

Signaling

The three IL-2 receptor chains span the cell membrane and extend into the cell, thereby delivering biochemical signals to the cell interior. The alpha chain does not participate in signaling, but the beta chain is complexed with an enzyme called Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), that is capable of adding phosphate groups to molecules. Similarly the gamma chain complexes with another tyrosine kinase called JAK3. These enzymes are activated by IL-2 binding to the external domains of the IL-2R. As a consequence, three intracellular signaling pathways are initiated, the MAP kinase pathway, the Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, and the JAK-STAT pathway.[2][3]

Once IL2 binds to the high affinity receptor, the complex is rapidly internalized and has only a short time to signal. IL-2, IL-2Rβ, and γc are rapidly degraded, but IL-2Rα is recycled to the cell surface. Thus, the concentration of IL-2 and its receptor available determines the tempo, magnitude and extent of T cell immune responses.[2][3]

IL-2 and its receptor have key roles in key functions of the immune system, tolerance and immunity, primarily via their direct effects on T cells. In the thymus, where T cells mature, they prevent autoimmune diseases by promoting the differentiation of certain immature T cells into regulatory T cells, which kill off other T cells that are primed to attack normal healthy cells in the body. IL-2/IL2R also promotes the differentiation of T cells into effector T cells and into memory T cells when the initial T cells is also stimulated by an antigen, thus helping the body fight off infections.[2] Through their role in the development of T cell immunologic memory, which depends upon the expansion of the number and function of antigen-selected T cell clones, they also have a key role in enduring cell-mediated immunity.[2][3]

Clinical implications

Drugs that inhibit IL-2 receptors, such as basiliximab and daclizumab are used in conjunction with other drugs to prevent immune rejection of transplants.[5]

History

According to an immunology textbook: "IL-2 is particularly important historically, as it is the first type I cytokine that was cloned, the first type I cytokine for which a receptor component was cloned, and was the first short-chain type I cytokine whose receptor structure was solved. Many general principles have been derived from studies of this cytokine, including its being the first cytokine demonstrated to act in a growth factor–like fashion through specific high-affinity receptors, analogous to the growth factors being studied by endocrinologists and biochemists".[1]:712

See also

CD25 deficiency

References

  1. 1 2 Warren J. Leonard. Type I Cytokines and Interferons and Their Receptors. Chapter 23 in Fundamental Immunology, 6th ed. Editor, William E. Paul. Philadelphia : Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, c2008. ISBN 9780781765190
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Liao W, Lin JX, Leonard WJ (2011). "IL-2 family cytokines: new insights into the complex roles of IL-2 as a broad regulator of T helper cell differentiation". Curr. Opin. Immunol. 23 (5): 598–604. doi:10.1016/j.coi.2011.08.003. PMC 3405730. PMID 21889323.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Malek TR, Castro I (2010). "Interleukin-2 receptor signaling: at the interface between tolerance and immunity". Immunity 33 (2): 153–65. doi:10.1016/j.immuni.2010.08.004. PMC 2946796. PMID 20732639.
  4. ↑ Metz A, Ciglia E, Gohlke H. Modulating protein-protein interactions: from structural determinants of binding to druggability prediction to application. Curr Pharm Des. 2012;18(30):4630-47. PMID 22650257
  5. ↑ Hardinger KL, Brennan DC, Klein CL. Selection of induction therapy in kidney transplantation. Transpl Int. 2013 Jul;26(7):662-72. PMID 23279211

External links

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