See Also: T-cell growth factor-1(medicine)
T-cell growth factor(medicine)
T-cell growth factor-2(medicine)
Growth factor(medicine)
Growth factor(health)
insulin like growth factor(medicine)
insulin-like growth factor II(medicine)
sarcoma growth factor(medicine)
Hepatocyte growth factor(medicine)
insulin-like growth factor I(medicine)

T-cell growth factor (medicine)


T-cell growth factor -->
interleukin-2
<cytokine> A hormone-like substance released by stimulated T lymphocytes, causes activation and differentiation of other T lymphocytes independently of antigen.

A type of interleukin, a chemical messenger, a substance that can improve the body's response to disease. It stimulates the growth of certain disease-fighting blood cells in the immune system.

It is secreted by Thl CD4 cells to stimulate CD8 cytotoxic T-1yrnphocytes. Interleukin 2 also increases the proliferation and maturation of the CD4 cells themselves. During HIV infection, Interleukin-2 production gradually declines.

Use of interleukin 2 therapy is under study as a way to raise CD4 cell counts and restore immune function.

Acronym: IL-2