Cytokines and T-cell homeostasis.
Homeostasis of T cells can be defined as the ability of the immune system to maintain normal T-cell counts and to restore T-cell numbers following T-cell depletion or expansion. These processes are governed by extrinsic signals, most notably cytokines. Two members of the common gamma chain family of cytokines, interleukin (IL)-7 and IL-15, are central to homeostatic proliferation and survival of mature CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. Recent evidence suggests that other cytokines, including IL-2, IL-10, IL-12, interferons and TGF-beta, as well as the transcription factors T-bet and eomesodermin all play important but different roles at distinct stages of T-cell homeostasis.
Boyman
Onur
O
Division of Immunology and Allergy, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), Rue du Bugnon 46, Lausanne, Switzerland. onur.boyman@chuv.ch
Purton
Jared F
JF
Surh
Charles D
CD
Sprent
Jonathan
J
D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines