IL-15 Signaling Pathways and their Primary Biological Effects in Different Immune Cell Types
Click on one of the links shown in the Explore Pathways box below to see either the IL-15 signaling pathways or information related to one of the other common cytokine receptor gamma-chain family members.
Get Print CopyT Cell Proliferation
T Cell Proliferation
or TNF RII
or TNF RII
CD4+ T Cells
CD4+ T Cells
Activation-Induced Cell Death
Activation-Induced Cell Death
Inhibits Activation-Induced Cell Death
Inhibits Activation-Induced Cell Death
Cell Death
Cell Death
gamma chain
gamma chain
gamma chain
gamma chain
CD8+ T Cell
CD8+ T Cell
Proliferation/Survival
Proliferation/Survival
Proliferation/Survival
Proliferation/Survival
CD8+ T Cell
CD8+ T Cell
Proliferation/Survival
Proliferation/Survival
of Naive & Memory CD8+ T Cells
of Naive & Memory CD8+ T Cells
Lymphocyte
Lymphocyte
gamma delta T Cell Survival/Expansion
gamma delta T Cell Survival/Expansion
Intraepithelial Lymphocytes
Intraepithelial Lymphocytes
gamma chain
gamma chain
T Cells
T Cells
Natural Killer T Cell
Expansion/Homeostasis
Natural Killer T Cell
Expansion/Homeostasis
& Homeostasis of NKT Cells
& Homeostasis of NKT Cells
gamma chain
gamma chain
Precursor
Precursor
Development
Development
Survival
Survival
Natural Killer Cell Development/Survival
Natural Killer Cell Development/Survival
Development & Survival
Development & Survival
gamma chain
gamma chain
Cell Death
Cell Death
Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Cell Death
Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Cell Death
of Natural Killer Cells
of Natural Killer Cells
Overview of IL-15 Signaling and its Primary Biological Effects in Different Immune Cell Types
Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a four alpha-helix bundle cytokine that is structurally and functionally related to IL-2. It is produced primarily by dendritic cells, monocytes, and epithelial cells. The heterotrimeric IL-15 receptor complex consists of a unique IL-15 R alpha subunit, IL-2/IL-15 R beta, and the common gamma-chain/IL-2 R gamma subunit. Unlike IL-2, IL-15 binds with high affinity to IL-15 R alpha, which then associates with a complex composed of the IL-2/IL-15 R beta and common gamma-chain/IL-2 R gamma subunits, expressed either on the same cell (cis-presentation) or on a different cell (trans-presentation). IL-15 signaling is essential for normal immune system functions. It stimulates T cell proliferation and inhibits IL-2-mediated activation-induced cell death. In addition, IL-15 is required for the development, survival, and activation of natural killer (NK) cells, homeostasis of natural killer T (NKT) cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes, and maintenance of naïve and memory CD8+ T cells. Both IL-15- and IL-15 R alpha-deficient mice lack NK cells and have severely reduced numbers of NKT cells, memory CD8+ T cells, and specific subsets of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes.
To learn more, please visit our Common gamma Chain Receptor Family Research Area.
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