IL-2 and polyoma BK virus infection; A systematic review article

- IL-2 activates both conventional and regulatory T lymphocytes.
- Polyoma BK virus associated nephropathy (PBKAN) is a complication of renal transplantation.
- IL-2/IL-2R pathway of CD4+/CD8+ T cells is defected in patients suffering from PBKAN.
- Decreased IL-2 during PBKAN leads to elevated numbers of T regulatory lymphocytes.
- IL-2/IL-2R pathway plays key roles to determine outcome of Polyoma BK virus infection.

It has been demonstrated that IL-2 plays a dual role in induction/suppression of immune responses via activation of conventional and regulatory T lymphocytes, respectively. IL-2 contacts complete IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) which contains CD25 (α chain) on the antigen specific activated T helper and cytotoxic lymphocytes and also T regulatory cells. Additionally, previous investigations revealed that polyoma BK virus (PBK) reactivation and induction of PBK associated nephropathy (PBKAN) is a main complication following renal transplantation. Based on the important dual roles played by IL-2 in the immune responses, it may be hypothesized that IL-2/IL-2R interaction could be considered a potential mechanism against/toward PBK reactivation and also PBKAN. Accordingly, the aim of the current review article is to determine the roles of IL-2 IL-2/IL-2R interaction in PBK reactivation and PBKAN complications.