Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026

A Strategy for the Study of IL-9-Producing Lymphoid Cells in the Nippostrongylus brasiliensis Infection Model
Published on: March 3, 2023
The key role of IL-7 in lymphopoiesis
Rhodri Ceredig1, Antonius G Rolink
1Regenerative Medicine Institute, National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, and School of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
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.
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.
Related Concept Videos
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors
Thrombopoietin (TPO), mainly released by the liver,...
Functions of the Lymphatic and Immune System
The primary lymphoid organs, including the bone marrow and the thymus, serve as the maturation sites for lymphocytes. Secondary lymphoid organs, like the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, activate these lymphocytes and serve as...
Lymphoid Cells and Tissues
Lymphoid cells consist of various types of immune system cells. These include B and T lymphocytes, which are responsible for producing antibodies and killing infected cells, respectively. Dendritic cells act as messengers between the innate and adaptive...
Primary Lymphoid Organs
The red bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue nestled in the interior of long bones such as the humerus and femur. It is the site...
Lineage Commitment

