IL-7 Signaling Pathways
IL-7 Receptor-Expressing Cells:
T cells, pre-B cells, dendritic cells
Anti-Apoptotic
Mitogenic
Overview of IL-7 Signaling and its Primary Biological Effects in Different Immune Cell Types
Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a member of the short chain four-helix bundle cytokine family. It is a strong hematopoietic growth factor produced and secreted by several different cell types including thymic stromal and mesenchymal cells, lymphatic endothelial cells, and intestinal epithelial cells. IL-7 promotes the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) down the lymphoid cell lineage and stimulates proliferation of multiple cell types in the lymphoid lineage, T cells, B cells, and NK cells. Despite its role in B and T cell development, immune cells produce little, if any, IL-7 protein. IL-7 signaling initiates by binding to the IL-7 receptor heterodimer consisting of the IL-7 R alpha and common gamma chain/IL-2 R gamma. Intracellularly, multiple phosphorylation signaling cascades are activated including the JAK-STAT, PI3 Kinase, and Src Kinase pathways, ultimately leading to activation and inhibition of target genes. Among the genes upregulated as a result of IL-7 signaling are the anti-apoptotic factors Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and Mcl-1 while suppressing the pro-apoptotic genes Bax and Bak. And IL-7 plays a role during V(D)J recombination at the TCR gamma, TCR beta, and immunoglobulin heavy chain loci.
To learn more, please visit our Common gamma Chain Receptor Family Research Area.
