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
Origin of interleukin 2
1First recorded in 1980–85; see origin at interleukin 1
- Compare LAK cell.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
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