What is the function of IL-7?
It plays a vital role in health maintenance and disease prevention, and the congenital deficiency of IL-7 signaling leads to profound immunodeficiency. IL-7 contributes to host defense by regulating the development and homeostasis of immune cells, including T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells.
What does IL-7 do to T cells?
IL-7 promotes T-cell survival by up-regulating the expression of anti-apoptotic genes; the anti-apoptotic genes Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 (myeloid-cell-leukemia sequence-1) are the major targets in naïve T-cells. The protein products encoded by these genes inhibit the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bak.
What role does IL-7 play during B cell development and what is its source?
IL-7 stimulates the differentiation of multipotent (pluripotent) hematopoietic stem cells into lymphoid progenitor cells (as opposed to myeloid progenitor cells where differentiation is stimulated by IL-3). It also stimulates proliferation of all cells in the lymphoid lineage (B cells, T cells and NK cells).
How are interleukins produced?
The majority of interleukins are synthesized by CD4 helper T-lymphocyte, as well as through monocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells. They promote the development and differentiation of T and B lymphocytes, and hematopoietic cells.
Is CD4 T cell receptor?
CD4 is a critical component of the T cell receptor complex that recognizes peptides bound to MHC class II molecules. This can be observed at all stages of T cell development, activation, and function.
What is an IL inhibitor?
Interleukin inhibitors are immunosuppressive agents that inhibit the action of interleukins. Interleukins are a group of cytokines (secreted proteins in response to infection) synthesized by white blood cells (lymphocytes, monocytes, and macrophages). They play a key role in the regulation of the immune system.
What interleukin means?
(in-ter-LOO-kin) One of a group of related proteins made by leukocytes (white blood cells) and other cells in the body. Interleukins regulate immune responses. Interleukins made in the laboratory are used as biological response modifiers to boost the immune system in cancer therapy.
What do interleukins do?
Interleukins (IL) are a type of cytokine first thought to be expressed by leukocytes alone but have later been found to be produced by many other body cells. They play essential roles in the activation and differentiation of immune cells, as well as proliferation, maturation, migration, and adhesion.
What does CD4 positive mean?
Normal: 500–1,200 cells per cubic millimeter. Abnormal: 250–500 cells per cubic millimeter. It means you have a weakened immune system and may be infected with HIV. Abnormal: 200 or fewer cells per cubic millimeter. It indicates AIDS and a high risk of life-threatening opportunistic infections.
What is CD4 count?
The CD4 count is a test that measures how many CD4 cells you have in your blood. These are a type of white blood cell, called T cells, that move throughout your body to find and destroy bacteria, viruses, and other invading germs.
What is IL-7 signaling and how does it work?
IL-7 signaling initiates by binding to the IL-7 receptor heterodimer consisting of the IL-7 R alpha and common gamma chain/IL-2 R gamma. Intracellularly, multiple phosphorylation signaling cascades are activated including the JAK-STAT, PI3 Kinase, and Src Kinase pathways, ultimately leading to activation and inhibition of target genes.
Can IL-7 be used as an immunotherapy agent in HIV infection?
Elevated levels of IL-7 have also been detected in the plasma of HIV-infected patients. IL-7 as an immunotherapy agent has been examined in many pre-clinical animal studies and more recently in human clinical trials for various malignancies and during HIV infection.
What is Interleukin 7 a gene?
A gene on chromosome 8q12-q13 that encodes interleukin-7, a hematopoietic growth factor which stimulates the proliferation of lymphoid progenitors, including both B and T cells. It forms a heterodimer with hepatocyte growth factor to act as a pre-pro-B-cell growth-stimulating factor.
What is the role of IL-7 in V (D) J recombination?
Among the genes upregulated as a result of IL-7 signaling are the anti-apoptotic factors Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and Mcl-1 while suppressing the pro-apoptotic genes Bax and Bak. And IL-7 plays a role during V (D)J recombination at the TCR gamma, TCR beta, and immunoglobulin heavy chain loci.
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