Interleukin-2 receptor subunit beta (IL2RB) (IL2RB)

Interleukin-2 receptor subunit beta (IL-2Rβ), also known as CD122, is a type I cytokine receptor that serves as a shared signaling component for both interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-15 (IL-15) (UniProt P14784). It is primarily expressed on natural killer (NK) cells and effector T cells, where it associates with the common gamma chain (CD132) to form a medium-affinity receptor complex capable of initiating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, specifically activating JAK1, JAK3, and STAT5 (NCBI Gene 3560). In the field of adoptive cell therapy, IL-2Rβ is a focal point for engineering NK cells to enhance their persistence and anti-tumor potency; this is often achieved by co-expressing membrane-bound cytokines like mbIL-15 or synthetic receptors that provide constitutive survival signals (PMID: 31534206). Therapeutically, targeting IL-2Rβ with biased agonists like Bempegaldesleukin or IL-15 superagonists like N-803 aims to selectively expand cytotoxic immune cells while avoiding the activation of regulatory T cells (Tregs), which require the IL-2 receptor alpha chain (CD25) for high-affinity binding (PMID: 30635554). This strategy is being extensively explored in oncology to treat various solid and hematological malignancies by overcoming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ClinicalTrials.gov). Additionally, IL-2Rβ signaling is critical for the maturation and functional readiness of NK cells, making it a primary target for ex vivo expansion protocols (PMID: 28930664).

Other names

CD122IL-2R subunit betaIL-2RBP70-75Interleukin-15 receptor subunit betaIL2RB

Agonism of the IL-2/IL-15 receptor beta/gamma complex to induce proliferation and activation of NK cells and CD8+ T cells.