From Anabolic to Oxidative: Reconsidering the Roles of IL-15 and IL-15Rα in Skeletal Muscle

PISTILLI, E. E. and L. S. QUINN. From anabolic to oxidative: reconsidering the roles of IL-15 and IL-15R alpha in skeletal muscle. Exerc. Sport Sci. Rev., Vol. 41, No. 2, pp. 100-106, 2013. Interleukin 15 (IL-15) and its receptor IL-15 receptor-alpha (IL-15R alpha) are suggested to function in the determination of skeletal muscle phenotypes, with IL-15 originally proposed as an anabolic cytokine. This review will focus on recent work demonstrating that manipulation of IL-15 and IL-15R alpha in vivo promotes changes in exercise capacity, muscle fatigue, and gene expression indicative of a more oxidative skeletal muscle phenotype.