title: IL-2, IL-7, and IL-15: Multistage regulators of CD4(+) T helper cell differentiation.
abstract: Cytokines represent a class of environmental factors that are critical drivers of immune cell development. Cytokines of the common gamma-chain family, including interleukin (IL)-2, IL-7, and IL-15, have been the subject of intense experimental scrutiny and have well-defined roles as regulators of diverse immune cell types including CD4(+) T helper cells. Because of their pleiotropic effects on T-cell development and function, researchers and clinicians have attempted to harness the capabilities of these cytokines for therapeutic benefit. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of these cytokines on CD4(+) T cell development and briefly discuss how these immunomodulatory cytokines are being used in efforts to treat human disease.
authors.affiliation: Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA.
authors.forename: Kaitlin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Read
authors.affiliation: Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA; Graduate Program in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.affiliation: Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA.
authors.forename: Paul W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.affiliation: Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, Roanoke, VA; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA; Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA. Electronic address: oestrk@vtc.vt.edu.
authors.forename: Kenneth J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Oestreich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D019070:Cell Lineage; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D056747:Immunomodulation / Q000187:drug effects; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015851:Interleukin-7 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D019409:Interleukin-15; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015851:Interleukin-7