Immune Netw.  2024 Feb;24(1):e11. 10.4110/in.2024.24.e11.

IL-15 in T-Cell Responses and Immunopathogenesis

• Lee H
• Park SH
• Shin EC

• KMID: 2557913
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4110/in.2024.24.e11

Abstract

IL-15 belongs to the common gamma chain cytokine family and has pleiotropic immunological functions. IL-15 is a homeostatic cytokine essential for the development and maintenance of NK cells and memory CD8 + T cells. In addition, IL-15 plays a critical role in the activation, effector functions, tissue residency, and senescence of CD8 + T cells. IL-15 also activates virtual memory T cells, mucosal-associated invariant T cells and γδ T cells. Recently, IL-15 has been highlighted as a major trigger of TCR-independent activation of T cells. This mechanism is involved in T cell-mediated immunopathogenesis in diverse diseases, including viral infections and chronic inflammatory diseases. Deeper understanding of IL-15-mediated T-cell responses and their underlying mechanisms could optimize therapeutic strategies to ameliorate host injury by T cell-mediated immunopathogenesis. This review highlights recent advancements in comprehending the role of IL-15 in relation to T cell responses and immunopathogenesis under various host conditions.

Keyword

Interleukin-15; T-lymphocytes, immunopathogenesis