Abstract
Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is produced by stromal cells, keratinocytes, and epithelial cells in host tissues or tumors and exerts a wide range of immune effects mediated by the IL-7 receptor (IL-7R). IL-7 is primarily involved in regulating the development of B cells, T cells, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells via the JAK-STAT, PI3K-Akt, and MAPK pathways. This cytokine participates in the early generation of lymphocyte subsets and maintain the survival of all lymphocyte subsets; in particular, IL-7 is essential for orchestrating the rearrangement of immunoglobulin genes and T-cell receptor genes in precursor B and T cells, respectively. In addition, IL-7 can aid the activation of immune cells in anti-virus and anti-tumor immunity and plays important roles in the restoration of immune function. These biological functions of IL-7 make it an important molecular adjuvant to improve vaccine efficacy as it can promote and extend systemic immune responses against pathogens by prolonging lymphocyte survival, enhancing effector cell activity, and increasing antigen-specific memory cell production. This review focuses on the biological function and mechanism of IL-7 and summarizes its contribution towards improved vaccine efficacy. We hope to provide a thorough overview of this cytokine and provide strategies for the development of the future vaccines.
Highlights
In 1987, Hunt et al discovered a cytokine that promoted the development of pro- and pre-B cells while exploring the potential role of bone marrow stromal cells in pre-B cell subset growth [1]
Rejuvenating circulating T-cell profile; increasing pre-B cells proliferation and maturation; increasing circulating transitional B cells Increasing the number of circulating T cells, predominantly of central memory T cells Restoring normal lymphocyte functions in septic patients, including improving CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte proliferations, IFN-g production, signal transducer and activator of transcription-5 (STAT5) phosphorylation, and B cell lymphoma 2 induction Increasing the number of circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and tissue-resident CD3 T cells in the gut mucosa and bone marrow Increasing T cell production of IFN-g; improving patient survival Increasing the number and function of T cells; enhancing immune recovery
Pre-pro-B cell growth stimulating factor (PPBSF) is an important cofactor of IL-7, which up-regulates the expression of IL-7Ra, making pro-B cells better respond to IL-7 [57]
Summary
In 1987, Hunt et al discovered a cytokine that promoted the development of pro- and pre-B cells while exploring the potential role of bone marrow stromal cells in pre-B cell subset growth [1]. Nanjappa et al found that the codelivery of hIL-7 protein with a DNA vaccine encoding LCMV nucleoprotein (NP) in mice during the contraction phase of the T cell response could increase the number of specific mouse anti-LCMV memory CD8+ T cells and enhance T cell proliferation and cytotoxicity to improve viral control [155].
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