| Primary Identifier | IPR020451 | Type | Family |
| Short Name | IL-15_avian |
| description | Interleukins (IL) are a group of cytokines that play an important role in the immune system. They modulate inflammation and immunity by regulating growth, mobility and differentiation of lymphoid and other cells. Interleukin-15 (IL-15) has a variety of biological functions, including stimulation and maintenance of cellular immune responses []. It is required for division of CD8+ T cells of memory phenotype, a process that is increased by inhibition of IL-2 []. The numbers of CD8+ memory T cells in animals may, therefore, be controlled by a balance between IL-15 and -2. IL-15 has been identified in mammals, birds and fish. Avian IL-15s are expressed in a wide variety of tissues and cell types, including liver, muscle, heart, and intraepithelial lymphocytes []. They have been shown to stimulate the growth of spleen T-cells and to enhance the activity of natural killer (NK) cells []. Thsi entry represents IL-15 found in birds. |
