Variable sensitivity to T-cell-receptor (TCR)- and IL-7-receptor (IL-7R)-mediated homeostatic signals among naïve T cells has thus far been largely attributed to differences in TCR specificity. We show here that even when withdrawn from self-peptide-induced TCR stimulation, CD8(+) T cells exhibit heterogeneous responses to interleukin-7 (IL-7) that are mechanistically associated with IL-7R expr...

The adoptive transfer of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells is a promising approach for the treatment of chronic viral and malignant diseases. In order to improve adoptive T cell therapy (ATT) of cancer, recent strategies aim at the antibody-based blockade of immunosuppressive signaling pathways in CD8+ T cells. Alternatively, adjuvant effects of immunostimulatory cytokines might be exploited to imp...

IL-7 was previously shown to upregulate the expression of molecules important for interaction of CD4+ T cells with B cells. It is poorly studied whether IL-7 has a role in the biology of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and whether IL-7 dysregulates the expression of B-cell costimulatory molecules on Tfh cells. We review the literature and provide arguments in favor of IL-7 being involved in the...

Immunosenescence, characterized by complex modifications of immunity with age, could be related to frailty syndrome in elderly individuals, leading to an inadequate response to minimal aggression. Functional decline (i.e., the loss of ability to perform activities of daily living) is related to frailty and decreased physiological reserves and is a frequent outcome of hospitalization in older pa...

Development of the lymphoid system is dependent on the Ets family transcription factor PU.1. We demonstrate that PU.1(-/-) hematopoietic progenitors fail to express IL-7Ralpha transcripts. Promoter and chromatin crosslinking analyses suggest that PU.1 directly regulates transcription of the IL-7Ralpha gene. Retroviral transduction of IL-7Ralpha into PU.1(-/-) progenitors restores IL-7-dependent...

BACKGROUND Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are autoimmune demyelinating diseases of the central nerve system. Interleukin-7 (IL-7) and interleukin-7 receptor alpha (IL-7Rα) were proved to be important in the pathogenesis of both diseases because of the roles they played in the differentiations of autoimmune lymphocytes. The variants of both genes had been identified to be...

Interleukin 7 and 15 are considered powerful pro-inflammatory cytokines, they have the ability to destabilize chromosomes and induce tumorigenesis. Additionally, they can control malignancy proliferation by influencing the tumor microenvironment and immune system. Immunotherapy has been proposed as a treatment modality for malignancy for over a decade; the exact mechanisms of action and pathway...

OBJECTIVES Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with unknown etiology. Various genetics and environmental factors contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease. The interleukin-7 receptor alpha chain (IL-7Ra) was identified as the first non-major histocompatibility complex (non-MHC) MS susceptibility locus. In this study we are tryin...