Introduction

Figure 1 Immature NK cells require very high concentrations of soluble IL2 or IL15 for growth

Figure 2 Mature NK cells also require very high concentrations of soluble IL2 or IL15 for growth

Figure 3 Normal CD4 and CD8 T cells will grow in low concentrations of IL2, but require high concentrations of IL15

Figure 4 CTLL2 cells proliferate efficiently to low concentrations of IL2 and IL15

Figure 5 Established NK cell lines show heightened responsiveness to IL2 but not to IL15

Figure 6 Activation of cytolytic activity in NK cells also requires high concentrations of IL2 and IL15

Figure 7 IL15 promotes the early acquisition of NK1.1 and Qa1 receptors by developing NK cells in a similar manner to IL2

Figure 8 IL15 promotes the stochastic acquisition of Ly49, CD94, and NKRP1 molecules by developing NK cells in a similar manner to IL2

Figure 9 Immature and mature NK cells express mRNA for each of the component chains of IL2 and IL15 receptors

Figure 10 mRNA for each of the component chains of IL2 and IL15 receptors is expressed throughout development

Figure 11 Structure of murine IL15Ra gene and mRNA

Figure 12 Immature and mature NK cells express mRNA for Isoform 2 of the IL15Ra chain

Figure 13 Schematic representation of IL15Ra isoforms generated by alternate splicing

Figure 14 Expression of IL2Ra chains on NK cells and T cells

Figure 15 Expression of IL2/IL15Rb chains on NK cells and T cells

Figure 16 IL2Ra chains on NK cells are down regulated by IL2

Figure 17 Anti-IL2Ra mAbs can inhibit the proliferation of NK cells

Figure 18 Lack of synergy between IL15 and IL2 for the growth of immature NK cells

Figure 19 IL21 can enhance the growth of immature NK cells in the presence of limiting concentrations of IL2 or IL15

Figure 20 IL21 does not enhance the growth of T cells

Summary

Acknowledgements