Therapeutic potential of interleukin-2 in autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases are characterized by dysregulation and aberrant activation of cells in the immune system. Therefore, restoration of the immune balance represents a promising therapeutic target in autoimmune diseases. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) can promote the expansion and differentiation of different immune cell subsets dose-dependently. At high doses, IL-2 can promote the differentiation and expansion of effector and memory T cells, whereas at low doses, IL-2 can promote the differentiation, survival, and function of regulatory T (T-reg) cells, a CD4(+) T cell subset that is essential for the maintenance of immune homeostasis and immune tolerance. Therefore, IL-2 exerts immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive effects in autoimmune diseases. The immunoregulatory role of low-dose IL-2 has sparked excitement for the therapeutic exploration of modulating the IL-2-Treg axis in the context of autoimmune diseases. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the therapeutic potential of IL-2 or IL-2-derived molecules in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.