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Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes
Published on: September 26, 2013
Perspectives of the relationship between IL-7 and autoimmune diseases
Xiao-Song Wang1, Bao-Zhu Li, Lin-Feng Hu
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
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.
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