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Interleukins

Interleukin 1 / 18
3LTQ.pdb.png
Crystallographic structure of human interleukin 1B.
Identifiers
Symbol IL1
Pfam PF00340
InterPro IPR000975
SMART SM00125
PROSITE PDOC00226
SCOP 1i1b
SUPERFAMILY 1i1b
Interleukin 2
Identifiers
Symbol Interleukin-2
Pfam PF00715
InterPro IPR000779
SMART SM00189
PROSITE PDOC00349
Interleukin 3
Identifiers
Symbol Interleukin_3
Pfam PF02059
InterPro IPR002183
Interleukin 4
Identifiers
Symbol Interleukin_4
Pfam PF02059
InterPro IPR002183
Interleukin 5
Identifiers
Symbol Interleukin_5
Pfam PF02025
InterPro IPR000186

Interleukins are a group of cytokines (secreted proteins and signal molecules) that were first seen to be expressed by white blood cells (leukocytes).

The function of the immune system depends in a large part on interleukins, and rare deficiencies of a number of them have been described, all featuring autoimmune diseases or immune deficiency. The majority of interleukins are synthesized by helper CD4 T lymphocytes, as well as through monocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells. They promote the development and differentiation of T and B lymphocytes, and hematopoietic cells.

Interleukin receptors on astrocytes in the hippocampus are also known to be involved in the development of spatial memories in mice.

The name "interleukin" was chosen in 1979, to replace the various different names used by different research groups to designate interleukin 1 (lymphocyte activating factor, mitogenic protein, T-cell replacing factor III, B-cell activating factor, B-cell differentiation factor, and "Heidikine") and interleukin 2 (TSF, etc.). This decision was taken during the Second International Lymphokine Workshop in Switzerland (27-31 May 1979 in Ermatingen, 'near' Interlaken).


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