| abstract |
The present invention relates to the identification of an epitope in human Interleukin-15 (IL-15) that is responsible for binding to the interleukin-15 receptor α-chain. Two IL-15 regions are involved in the formation of this epitope: the first region ( 44 LLELQVISL 52 , peptide 1) corresponds to a sequence located in the B helix and the second ( 64 ENLIL 68 , peptide 2 or 64 ENLIIL 69 , peptide 2 a ) to a sequence located in helix C. Muteins displaying agonist or antagonist properties are described, and may be useful as therapeutic agents. |