First Author | Pahlavani MA | Year | 1996 |
Journal | Mech Ageing Dev | Volume | 89 |
Issue | 3 | Pages | 125-54 |
PubMed ID | 8844635 | Mgi Jnum | J:34572 |
Mgi Id | MGI:82027 | Doi | 10.1016/0047-6374(96)01725-3 |
Citation | Pahlavani MA, et al. (1996) The effect of age on the expression of interleukin-2. Mech Ageing Dev 89(3):125-54 |
abstractText | Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a growth promoting cytokine that has received a great deal of attention over the past decade with respect to aging and cancer. It is produced primarily by helper T cells and regulates the growth and function of various cells that are involved in cellular and humoral immunity. The expression of IL-2 has been found to decrease with age in humans and rodents. The decline in IL-2 production has been shown to parallel the age-related decrease in immunologic function. Several studies indicate that treatment of lymphocytes from old subjects with exogenous IL-2 or infusion of IL-2 into old animals partially or completely restores some of the immune functions that decline with age. The age-related decline in IL-2 production has been shown to arise from a decline in IL-2 transcription, and a recent study suggests that the transcription factor NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells) may play a role in the decline in IL-2 transcription. |