Human Interleukin 15 (IL-15) is a cytokine that regulates T cell and natural killer cell activation and proliferation. IL-15 binds to the alpha subunit of the IL15 receptor (IL-15RA) with high affinity. IL-15 also binds to the beta and gamma chains of the IL-2 receptor, but not the alpha subunit of the IL2 receptor. IL-15 is structurally and functionally related to IL-2. Both cytokines share some subunits of receptors, allowing them to compete for and negatively regulate each others activity. The number of CD8+ memory T cells is controlled by a balance between IL-15 and IL-2. Despite their many overlapping functional properties, IL-2 and IL-15 are, in fact, quite distinct players in the immune system. IL-15 is constitutively expressed by a wide variety of cell types and tissues, including monocytes, macrophages and DCs. Mature Human IL-15 shares 70% amino acid sequence identity with Mouse and Rat IL-15.
