Staying alive--naïve CD4(+) T cell homeostasis.
The immune system must maintain a broad repertoire of naïve T cells in order to respond to the diverse range of pathogens that it will encounter over the course of a lifetime. Although it is known that contact with IL-7 is crucial for the survival of naïve T cells, the precise intracellular signals that mediate its effects remain obscure. An article in this issue of the European Journal of Immunology has found that IL-7 requires the coordinated action of multiple pathways to maintain naïve CD4(+) T cells.
Purton
Jared F
JF
Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Sprent
Jonathan
J
Surh
Charles D
CD
D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000276:immunology*; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines