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European Cytokine Network

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Interleukin-7 in HIV pathogenesis and therapy Volume 21, numéro 3, September 2010

Auteurs
Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, and Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, USA

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a γ-chain cytokine that plays a key role in T cell development and homeostasis by signaling through its cognate receptor, IL-7R or CD127, and inducing T cell survival and/or proliferation. Owing to its ability to promote CD4+ T cell homeostasis, IL-7 has elicited significant interest as a potential immunotherapy for HIV-infected individuals. Indeed, several studies have indicated that progressive HIV infection is associated with a complex dysregulation of the IL-7/IL-7R pathway consisting of increased plasma levels of this cytokine coupled with decreased percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells expressing CD127. Administration of IL-7 to antiretroviral-treated HIV-infected individuals results in a selective increase in the fraction of naive and central-memory CD4+ T cells, suggesting a beneficial effect on overall CD4+ T cell function. For this reason, and given its potential role in depleting the reservoirs of latently infected CD4+ T cells, IL-7 therapy can be considered a promising approach for improving immune function in HIV-infected individuals.