INTERLEUKIN-7 IN HEALTH AND DISEASE

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Maeurer, Markus J.

Affiliations: Address for correspondence: Markus J. Maeurer, M.D. Professor of Microbiology, Institute for Medical Microbiology, University of Mainz, Hochhaus Augustusplatz, 55101 Mainz, Germany. Tel.: +49.(0)6131.173645 Fax: +49.(0)6131.175580 E-mail: maeuer@mail.uni-mainz.de

Abstract: Interleukin-7 (IL-7) mRNA and protein can be detected in both immune and non-immune cells, including bone marrow stroma cells, B-cells, monocytes/macrophages, follicular dendritic cells and in transformed and non-transformed cells of epithelial origin. This multifaceted cytokine plays a central role in lymphopoiesis and in adaptive immune responses. Particularly in infectious diseases, IL-7-mediated effects are dependent on the nature of the infectious agent and the timing of application: IL-7 may exert beneficial or deleterious effects on the host. In cancer, IL-7 may support the expansion of tumor-reactive immune responses. In contrast, IL-7 may also be able to deliver growth signals for transformed cells. Future studies will elucidate whether IL-7 represents a candidate molecule which is able to deliver T-cell survival and maturation in the peripheral circulation as well as in secondary lymphoid tissues.

Keywords: Interleukin-7, T-cells, immunotherapy, tumor-immunology

Journal: Electronic Journal of Pathology and Histology, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 07-07, 2000