title: Human IL-7: a novel T cell growth factor.
abstract: IL-7 is a hemopoietic growth factor that induces the proliferation of early B lineage cells. In the course of studies to determine its effect on human bone marrow cells, we noted a marked outgrowth of mature T cells. When T cells from the circulation were cultured with IL-7, a dose-dependent proliferative response was observed. The target cells included both the CD4+ and CD8+ subpopulations of T cells, but the memory T cells (CD45R-) were better responders than unprimed T cells (CD45R+). IL-7 induced the expression of receptors for IL-2 and transferrin and higher levels of the 4F2 activation Ag. Although T cell responses to suboptimal concentrations of IL-7 were enhanced by the addition of IL-2, the proliferative response to IL-7 was not inhibited by neutralizing antibody to the IL-2R (Tac), nor was IL-2 secretion detected in this response. This response pattern of mature T cells suggests an important role for IL-7 in normal T cell physiology in humans.
authors.affiliation: Division of Developmental and Clinical Immunology, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Welch
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Namen
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Goodwin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Armitage
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000494:pharmacology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D015851:Interleukin-7 / Q000502:physiology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D010641:Phenotype; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7
chemical_list: D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D007106:Immune Sera; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015851:Interleukin-7; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7