Progress in interleukin‐2 therapy for rheumatic immune diseases by regulating the immune balance of T cells

Abstract

Breaking the balance between effector T cells, including Th17 (T helper cell 17) cells, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) is a key link in the pathogenesis of rheumatic immune diseases, which lead to a new concept of regulating immune balance in the treatment of rheumatic immune diseases. Interleukin (IL)‐2 can effectively regulate the differentiation, development and functional activity of regulatory T cells, thus restoring the immune balance between regulatory T cells and effector T cells. Therefore, low‐dose IL‐2 has been used in the treatment of rheumatic immune diseases, and it has become a promising new choice to achieve therapeutic purpose by regulating the immune balance of T cell. Here, we discuss the role of T cells immune imbalance in the pathogenesis of rheumatic immune diseases and the mechanism of IL‐2 in the treatment of rheumatic immune diseases by regulating T cells immune balance and summarize the relevant clinical trials.