Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a cytokine that stimulates the growth and differentiation of B cells, T cells, NK cells, and monocyte/macrophages. Conversely, IL-2 is involved in the activation-induced cell death (AICD) that is observed post T cell expansion by increasing levels of Fas on CD4+ T cells. In addition, the transcription factor NFAT has been shown to play a major role in the regulation of IL-2 transcription and correlates to an age-related decline in the expression of IL-2.
