Description
Interleukin 15 (IL-15 ) is a cytokine that regulates T and natural killer cell activation and proliferation. IL-15 induces the activation of JAK kinases, as well as the phosphorylation and activation of transcription activators STAT3, STAT5, and STAT6. In mouse, studies suggest that IL-15 may increase the expression of apoptosis inhibitor Bcl-xL, possibly through the transcription activation activity of STAT6, and thus prevent apoptosis. IL-15 plays an important role in the growth and differentiation of T and B lymphocytes, natural killer cells, macrophages, and monocytes as well as activation of a number of important intracellular signaling molecules.