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Updated: May 14, 2026

Isolation of Murine Lymph Node Stromal Cells
Published on: August 19, 2014
Lymphocyte-stromal cell interaction induces IL-7 expression by interferon regulatory factors
Miho Sekai1, Shizue Tani-ichi, Mitsutoshi Yoneyama
1Laboratory of Biological Protection, Department of Biological Responses, Institute for Virus Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
Lymphocyte and stromal cell interactions induce Interleukin-7 (IL-7) production in stromal cells. This process involves Interferon Regulatory Factors (IRFs) and Interferon-stimulated Response Elements (ISREs), suggesting a role for type I Interferons (IFNs) in lymphocyte development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Lymphocyte and stromal cell interactions are crucial for early lymphocyte development.
- Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a key cytokine for lymphocyte development, produced by stromal cells.
- The molecular mechanisms underlying IL-7 induction by lymphocyte-stromal cell interaction remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular basis of IL-7 induction in stromal cells upon interaction with lymphocytes.
- To identify signaling pathways and regulatory elements involved in IL-7 gene transcription.
Main Methods:
- Co-culture of an IL-7-dependent pre-B cell line (DW34) with a thymic stromal cell line (TSt-4).
- Analysis of cytokine and Interferon (IFN) transcript levels.
- Reporter assay to assess IL-7 promoter activity.
- Overexpression of Interferon Regulatory Factors (IRFs).
Main Results:
- Co-culture induced IL-7, IFN-α, and IFN-β transcripts in stromal cells.
- Exogenous IFN-β stimulation enhanced IL-7 transcript levels.
- An Interferon-Stimulated Response Element (ISRE) in the IL-7 promoter was essential for induction.
- IRFs modulated IL-7 promoter activity, indicating their role in transcriptional regulation.
Conclusions:
- Lymphocyte-stromal cell interaction activates IRFs, leading to IL-7 transcription via ISRE in stromal cells.
- Type I IFNs may mediate the activation of IRFs in this context.
- The study highlights a physiological role for the IFN/IRF signaling pathway in lymphocyte development.
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