title: The key role of IL-7 in lymphopoiesis.
abstract: In mice, interleukin 7, although initially thought to be predominantly a cytokine acting on B cells, appears to have potent survival and growth activity during both B and T lymphopoiesis. Although acting on both lineages at the very immature stages, T cell differentiation becomes independent of IL-7 at the intermediate stages before regaining dependence on IL-7 for survival and proliferation at the mature T cell stage. In contrast, although essential for B lymphopoiesis, mature B cell survival is independent of IL-7. In this review, we focus on and discuss the similarities and differences between the role of IL-7 in these two processes.
authors.affiliation: Regenerative Medicine Institute, National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, and School of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Rhodri
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ceredig
authors.forename: Antonius G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Rolink
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D015851:Interleukin-7 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D038041:Lymphopoiesis; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D015851:Interleukin-7