Interleukin-15 receptor (IL-15R) (IL-15R)

The Interleukin-15 receptor (IL-15R) is a heterotrimeric complex composed of the IL-15-specific alpha subunit (IL-15Rα/CD215), the shared IL-2/IL-15 receptor beta subunit (CD122), and the common gamma chain (CD132) (UniProt P40933, P14784). It plays a pivotal role in the innate and adaptive immune systems by mediating the development, survival, and activation of natural killer (NK) cells and memory CD8+ T cells (PubMed PMID: 23885999). Unlike the closely related IL-2 receptor, the IL-15R does not significantly stimulate the expansion of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs), making it a highly desirable target for oncology (Nektar Therapeutics, 2024). Therapeutic agents like NKTR-255 are designed as IL-15 agonists that bind to this receptor complex to enhance the body's anti-tumor immune response (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04136756). By triggering the JAK/STAT signaling pathway through the IL-15R, these drugs promote the expansion of cytotoxic immune cells to treat various solid and hematological malignancies (Journal of Hematology & Oncology, 2022).

Other names

IL-15 receptor complexCD122/CD132/CD215 complexInterleukin-15 receptor subunit alphaIL-15RAIL-15Rα

Agonism of the IL-15 receptor complex to stimulate the proliferation and activation of Natural Killer (NK) cells and CD8+ effector T cells via the JAK/STAT signaling pathway (Nektar Therapeutics; PubMed PMID: 35130937).