Interleukin-7: master regulator of peripheral T-cell homeostasis?

Citation
Tj. Fry et Cl. Mackall, Interleukin-7: master regulator of peripheral T-cell homeostasis?, TRENDS IMMU, 22(10), 2001, pp. 564-571
Citations number
65
Categorie Soggetti
Immunology
Journal title
TRENDS IN IMMUNOLOGY
ISSN journal
14714906 → ACNP
Volume
22
Issue
10
Year of publication
2001
Pages
564 - 571
Database
ISI
SICI code
1471-4906(200110)22:10<564:IMROPT>2.0.ZU;2-E
Abstract
Recent evidence has implicated interleukin-7 (IL-7) as a master regulator o f T-cell homeostasis, based upon its essential role in the homeostatic expa nsion of naive T-cell populations in response to low-affinity antigens (Ags ) and its capacity to enhance dramatically the expansion of peripheral T-ce ll populations in response to high-affinity Ags. Furthermore, T-cell-deplet ed humans have a unique inverse relationship between the peripheral CD4(+) T-cell count and the level of circulating IL-7. Together, these data sugges t that increased amounts of IL-7 become available following T-cell depletio n, thus, enhancing the high- and low-affinity Ag-driven expansion of the po pulation of residual, mature T cells and boosting thymic regenerative capac ity, as a means to restore T-cell homeostasis.