interleukin 2

noun

Immunology. a lymphokine protein, secreted by T cells in response to antigen and interleukin 1, that stimulates the proliferation of T cells.
Pharmacology. a form of this protein produced by genetic engineering and used experimentally in immunotherapy. Abbreviation: IL-2

Compare LAK cell.

Origin of interleukin 2

First recorded in 1980–85; see origin at interleukin 1

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018