| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2794510 | Cytokine | 2012 | 12 Pages |
An effective immune response to an invading viral pathogen requires the combined actions of both innate and adaptive immune cells. For example, NK cells and cytotoxic CD8 T cells are capable of the direct engagement of infected cells and the mediation of antiviral responses. Both NK and CD8 T cells depend on common gamma chain (γc) cytokine signals for their development and homeostasis. The γc cytokine IL-15 is very well characterized for its role in promoting the development and homeostasis of NK cells and CD8 T cells, but emerging literature suggests that IL-15 mediates the anti-viral responses of these cell populations during an active immune response. Both NK cells and CD8 T cells must become activated, migrate to sites of infection, survive at those sites, and expand in order to maximally exert effector functions, and IL-15 can modulate each of these processes. This review focuses on the functions of IL-15 in the regulation of multiple aspects of NK and CD8 T cell biology, investigates the mechanisms by which IL-15 may exert such diverse functions, and discusses how these different facets of IL-15 biology may be therapeutically exploited to combat viral diseases.
► IL-15 has been implicated in the development and immunobiology of both NK and CD8 T cells. ► Virally induced IL-15 influences the migration and effector function of NK and CD8 T cells. ► IL-15 has great potential for modulating anti-viral immune responses and vaccine development.
