Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a cytokine with structural similarity to IL-2. Like IL-2, IL-15 binds to and signals through a complex composed of IL-2/IL-15 receptor beta chain (CD122) and the common gamma chain (gamma-C, CD132). IL-15 is secreted by mononuclear phagocytes (among other cells) following infection by virus. This cytokine induces cell proliferation of natural killer cells, which are cells of the innate immune system whose principal role is to kill virally infected cells. IL-15 can stimulate the proliferation of T-lymphocytes. Stimulation by IL-15 occurs following its interaction with IL-15Ra. This interaction may enhance IL-15’sinteraction with IL15Rß?c.
Recombinant HumanInterleukin-15 produced in E. coli is a single non-glycosylated polypeptide chain containing 114 amino acids. A fully biologically active molecule, rhIL-15 has a molecular mass of 12.8 kDa analyzed by reducing SDS-PAGE and is obtained by chromatographic techniques at GenScript.