Perspectives of the relationship between IL-7 and autoimmune diseases.
Interleukin (IL)-7 is one of the IL-2 family cytokines comprised of IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15, as well as IL-21. IL-7 is mainly secreted by stroma cells in primary lymphoid tissues, playing an essential role in the program of T cell development. Recently, studies have revealed that physiological function exerted by immunocytes can be influenced by aberrant IL-7 signaling, which is common in abnormal autoimmunity regulation. There is also increasing evidence that IL-7 is involved in several autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus, etc. Targeting components in IL-7 signaling pathways may have potential significance for treating numerous autoimmune diseases. In this review, we therefore summarize our current understandings regarding the relationship between IL-7 and autoimmune diseases so as to render more valuable information on this kind of research.
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People's Republic of China.
Xiao-Song
XS
Wang
Bao-Zhu
BZ
Li
Lin-Feng
LF
Hu
Peng-Fei
PF
Wen
Min
M
Zhang
Hai-Feng
HF
Pan
Dong-Qing
DQ
Ye
D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D015851:Interleukin-7 / Q000502:physiology*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology; D020395:Receptors, Interleukin-7 / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction
D016207:Cytokines; D015851:Interleukin-7; D020395:Receptors, Interleukin-7