Final answer:
IL-15, a cytokine crucial for hemopoiesis, affects the bone marrow to support the differentiation and maturation of immune cells like NK and memory phenotype CD8+ T cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is one of the cytokines that plays a significant role in the immune system, particularly in hemopoiesis, which is the formation of blood cellular components. IL-15 acts on the bone marrow (BM) and is involved in the differentiation and maturation of various immune cells. It contributes to the body's natural defense mechanisms by promoting the production of immune cells and supporting the inflammatory response when necessary.
IL-15 has been studied for its effects on natural killer (NK) cells, T cells, and dendritic cells among others. This cytokine is critical for the proliferation and function of NK cells and memory phenotype CD8+ T cells, which are essential for the immune system's ability to respond to pathogens and other disease processes.