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

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Nearby words

interleaf, interleave, interleaving, interleukin, interleukin 1, interleukin 2, interleukin 3, interleukin-1, interleukin-2, interleukin-3, interlibrary loan

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. 2019

Medicine definitions for interleukin-2

interleukin-2

n.

A lymphokine that is released by helper T cells in response to an antigen and interleukin-1 and stimulates the proliferation of helper T cells.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.