lymphocyte-stimulating hormone meaning

[Medicine]
A soluble factor produced by monocytes,macrophages,and other cells which activates T-lymphocytes and potentiates their response to mitogens or antigens. IL-1 consists of two distinct forms,IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta which perform the same functions but are distinct proteins. The biological effects of IL-1 include the ability to replace macrophage requirements for T-cell activation. The factor is distinct from INTERLEUKIN-2.