Received: November 23, 2006.

Accepted: November 23, 2006.

Abstract published online: December 7, 2006.

Full paper published online: August 31, 2007.

INTERLEUKIN-15: ITS ROLE IN MICROBIAL INFECTIONS

BANNWART C.F. (1), NAKAIRA E.T. (1), SARTORI A. (1), PERAÇOLI M.T.S. (1)

(1) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil.

ABSTRACT: Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a pleiotropic cytokine which regulates the proliferation, survival and the secretory activities of many distinct cell types in the body. This cytokine is produced by macrophages and many other cell types in response to infectious agents; it controls growth and differentiation of T and B lymphocytes, activation of Natural Killer (NK) and phagocytic cells, and contributes to the homeostasis of the immune system. The present review focuses on the biological and modulatory effects of IL-15 in microbial infections and shows that this cytokine may play a role in the host defense against infections by inducing activation of effector cells from both innate and adaptive immune system.

KEY WORDS: Interleukin-15, microbial infections, innate immunity.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: There is no conflict.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

MARIA TEREZINHA SERRÃO PERAÇOLI, Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biociências, Campus de Botucatu, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brasil. Phone: 55 14 3811 6058. Fax: 55 14 3815 3744. Email: peracoli@ibb.unesp.br.