The pleiotropic effects of interleukin 7 and their pathologic and therapeutic implications.
Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a cytokine initially described as a growth factor for B cell progenitors. IL-7 also induces T cell proliferation and has pleiotropic effects. IL-7 enhances T-lymphocyte cytotoxicity, stimulates anti-tumoural properties of monocytes/macrophages, and induces tumour rejection in mice. It could thus be of interest in immunotherapy and may play a role in the generation of lymphoid neoplasia because leukaemic cells of B and T lineage express functional IL-7 receptors. Finally, IL-7 is, as IL-2, a cytokine of pivotal importance in the immune system, and so could be involved in abnormal immune response such as autoimmunity.
Costello
R
R
Unité INSERM U 119, Marseille, France.
Duffaud
F
F
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive; D015851:Interleukin-7 / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D010641:Phenotype; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
D015851:Interleukin-7