Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and primers based on regions
of homology between the human and murine intel leukin 7 (IL-7)-encodi
ng cDNAs, we have amplified an ovine (ov) IL-7 cDNA from reverse-trans
cribed RNA extracted from concanavilin A (Con A)-activated ovine lymph
-node cells. The nucleotide sequence of the cDNA and the predicted ami
no acid (aa) sequence showed significant homology to those of the huma
n and murine molecules. The ovIL-7 cDNA encodes a 176-aa polypeptide t
hat, based on analysis of murine IL-7, is processed to a protein of 15
1 aa. The cDNA was demonstrated to encode a protein with IL-7 biologic
al activity. Supernatants from COS or CHO-K1 cells transfected with an
expression vector containing the ovIL-7 cDNA were able to synergise w
ith a suboptimal level of Con A to induce proliferation of ovine thymo
cytes. In addition, both supernatants were able to induce thymocyte pr
oliferation, albeit at a reduced level, in the absence of Con A. Furth
er experiments demonstrated that for induction of ovine thymocyte prol
iferation, recombinant (re)-ovIL-7 was able to synergise with re-human
(h) IL-2 but not re-hIL-6 or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (re-hTNF alp
ha).