Chemotactic factors such as cytokines and chemokines direct the migration of leukocytes into inflammatory sites. Chemokines play a role regulating both the expression and adhesive properties of leukocyte integrins. We have recently described an additional function of chemokines in the induction of cell polarization and adhesion receptor redistribution during the initial step of leukocyte locomotion. We herein report that interleukin (IL)-15, a newly described cytokine with chemotactic properties, is able to induce uropod formation on T lymphoblasts to which intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-3, a leukocyte-restricted counter-receptor for the lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1 integrin, is redistributed. Other adhesion molecules, such as ICAM-1, ICAM-2, CD43 and CD44, also redistributed to the uropod, although in a lower proportion of the cells. The induction of uropod formation by IL-15 was observed on T lymphoblasts adhering to the integrin ligands fibronectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and ICAM-1, but not to bovine serum albumin or poly-L-lysine. The effect of IL-15 was dose dependent and specifically inhibited by a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against this cytokine. Blocking experiments with anti-IL-2 receptor beta chain mAb showed an inhibitory effect on IL-15-mediated redistribution of ICAM-3, whereas no effect was observed in the presence of anti-IL-2 receptor alpha chain mAb. The uropod induced by IL-15 is enriched in many different adhesion receptors and, being well exposed to the external milieu, is likely to modulate the adhesive properties of lymphocytes.