# SYNTHETIC PEPTIDES IN IL2 DETECTION & FUNCTION STUDIES

> **NIH NIH R01** · SCRIPPS CLINIC AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION · 1988 · $115,532

## Abstract

Interleukin 2 (IL2) or T cell growth factors (TCGF) is a T cell-derived
glycoprotein hormone which stimulates the proliferation of activated T
lymphocytes, mediated through its binding to specific cell surface
receptors.  Levels of available IL2 determine, therefore, to a large
extent, the magnitude of T cell-dependent humoral and cellular immune
responses.  IL2 was shown to correct some immunodeficiencies and induce or
augment various effector cell functions in experimental systems, and
defects in its production and/or responsiveness have been identified in
various diseases.  Despite some significant recent advances in IL2 studies,
i.e., identification of IL2-producing continuous T cell lines, development
of purification procedures and molecular cloning of the human IL2 gene, the
structure-function relationship and physiological role of IL2 and its
immunotherapeutic potential are far from being clear.  In addition,
quantitative IL2 immunoassays which would supplement or replace the current
bioassay have not been reported.  Thus, the objective of this proposal is
to develop reliable quantitative assays for measuring IL2 levels in
biological fluids, and enumerating IL2-producing/containing cells in health
and disease, and to gain an understanding of the structure-function
relationship and physiological role of IL2.  To achieve this objective, we
will:  1) Purity and isolate natural or recombinant human IL2 and prepare
enzymatically-digested or chemically-synthesized IL2 peptides, based on the
known amino acid sequence of human IL2; 2) Prepare polyclonal or monoclonal
antibodies against IL2 peptides, followed by immunochemical and functional
characterization of such antibodies; 3) Use such antibodies, as well as
antibodies against natural or recombinant IL2, to develop quantitative IL2
immunoassays, or procedures to enumerate IL2-containing/producing cells; 4)
Apply the above assays to the measurement of IL2 levels in culture or body
fluids, and the enumeration of IL2-positive cells in suspensions or tissue
sections, both in normal donors and in patients with autoimmune (SLE,
rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren's) or malignant disease; 5) Use IL2
peptides or analogs and antibodies made against different forms of human
IL2 to elucidate the structure-function relationship of this lymphokine and
identify its active site(s).  These studies are likely to result in a
better understanding of the structure-function relationship of IL2, its
physiological role in the immune system, and the significance of IL2
defects, as well as its immunotherapeutic potential, in various diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3157185
- **Project number:** 5R01AR035411-03
- **Recipient organization:** SCRIPPS CLINIC AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION
- **Principal Investigator:** AMNON ALTMAN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $115,532
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1986-01-01 → 1988-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3157185

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3157185, SYNTHETIC PEPTIDES IN IL2 DETECTION & FUNCTION STUDIES (5R01AR035411-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3157185. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*