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interleukin (in´tәr-loo″kin)   one of several proteins important for lymphocyte proliferation. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is produced by macrophages and induces the production of interleukin-2 by T cells that have been stimulated by antigen or mitogen. Interleukin-2 (IL-2), produced by T cells, stimulates the proliferation of T cells bearing specific receptors for IL-2; these receptors are expressed in response to antigenic stimulation. IL-2 also seems to induce the production of interferon and is used as an anticancer drug in the treatment of a wide variety of solid malignant tumors. Another interleukin, interleukin-3 (IL-3) is necessary for the differentiation of suppressor T cells.




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