title: The expanding role of IL-7 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin as therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The discovery of IL-7 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) has been a major step in the understanding of arthritis. IL-7 amplifies the inflammation induced by other cytokines, primarily TNF. In animal models of arthritis, inhibition of IL-7 limits inflammation and joint erosion. TSLP is an IL-7-like cytokine that triggers dendritic cell-mediated Th2-type inflammatory responses and is considered as a master switch for allergic inflammation. TSLP is a downstream molecule of TNF-α and as such may be involved in the pathophysiology of inflammatory arthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review summarizes current knowledge of the role of IL-7 and TSLP derived from both animal models and studies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The emergence of IL-7 blockade as a future therapy in RA is highlighted, along with the potential goals and limitations of this therapeutic approach. The write-up also highlights the functional capacities of TSLP in arthritis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evidences suggest important roles for IL-7 and TSLP in the pathogenesis of RA and can be viewed as potential therapeutic targets. Regulation of these at genetic level is a promising investigational area. Given the difficulty in reconstituting T cells in patients with RA, therapeutic approaches that minimize the elimination of T cells are likely to be more desirable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, Rajiv Academy for Pharmacy , Mathura, Uttar Pradesh 281001 , India kamlapathak5@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kamla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pathak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000502:physiology; D015851:Interleukin-7 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine / Q000502:physiology; D020395:Receptors, Interleukin-7 / Q000502:physiology; D012643:Selenium / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D000094632:Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; C498762:CRLF2 protein, human; D016207:Cytokines; C508605:IL7 protein, human; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D015851:Interleukin-7; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine; D020395:Receptors, Interleukin-7; C410591:Tslpr protein, mouse; C576410:interleukin-7, mouse; D012643:Selenium; D000094632:Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin