IL-7
IL-7 (interleukin 7) is a secreted haematopoietic cytokine that supports the development, expansion and survival of naive and memory T-cells and B-cells. By controlling the number of mature lymphocytes, it helps maintain lymphoid homeostasis. Browse Assay Genie's current range of IL-7 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
IL-7 is a haematopoietic cytokine with an essential role in the development, expansion and survival of naive and memory T-cells and B-cells. In doing so it regulates the number of mature lymphocytes and maintains lymphoid homeostasis. It acts through a receptor made up of the IL7RA subunit and the cytokine receptor common subunit gamma (CSF2RG). Receptor binding activates kinases including JAK1 or JAK3, depending on the cell type, and propagates signals through downstream pathways such as PI3K/Akt/mTOR and JAK-STAT5.
The IL7 gene encodes a secreted protein that belongs to the IL-7/IL-9 family and, in HGNC classification, sits within the interleukins and the interleukin 2 family. According to NCBI Gene, the protein is important for B and T cell development. Together with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), it forms a heterodimer that works as a pre-pro-B cell growth-stimulating factor. IL-7 is also a cofactor for V(D)J rearrangement of the T cell receptor beta (TCRB) locus during early T cell development. Alternative splicing gives multiple transcript variants that encode distinct isoforms.
IL-7 can be produced locally by intestinal epithelial and epithelial goblet cells, and may act as a regulatory factor for intestinal mucosal lymphocytes. In the context of infection, elevated serum IL-7, alongside several other circulating cytokines and chemokines, has been associated with the severity of COVID-19, where SARS-CoV-2 can strongly induce proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Mouse and rat orthologs are both designated Il7.
IL-7 is important for B and T cell development and acts as a cofactor for TCRB V(D)J rearrangement in early T cell development.
IL-7 supports the survival of naive and memory T cells, making it central to studies of how lymphocyte numbers are maintained.
IL-7 signals through IL7RA and CSF2RG, activating JAK1 or JAK3 and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and JAK-STAT5 pathways.
Local intestinal IL-7 may regulate mucosal lymphocytes, and raised serum IL-7 has been linked to COVID-19 severity.
IL-7 is a haematopoietic cytokine that is essential for the development, expansion and survival of naive and memory T-cells and B-cells. It regulates the number of mature lymphocytes and maintains lymphoid homeostasis, signalling through IL7RA and the common gamma chain via JAK1 or JAK3 and STAT5.
The gene symbol is IL7 and the protein is named interleukin-7 (IL-7). UniProt places it in the IL-7/IL-9 family. NCBI Gene reports that alternative splicing produces multiple transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms, while additional splice variants in normal tissues remain unconfirmed.
Mouse and rat both have an Il7 ortholog. NCBI Gene notes that elevated serum IL-7, together with other circulating cytokines and chemokines, is associated with COVID-19 severity. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other interleukins, including interleukin 2 family members and cytokines that regulate lymphocyte biology, with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P13232; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.