[HTML][HTML] IL-7 and CD4 T follicular helper cells in HIV-1 infection

F Chiodi, Y Bekele, R Lantto Graham… - Frontiers in …, 2017 - frontiersin.org
F Chiodi, Y Bekele, R Lantto Graham, A Nasi
Frontiers in Immunology, 2017frontiersin.org
IL-7 was previously shown to upregulate the expression of molecules important for
interaction of CD4+ T cells with B cells. It is poorly studied whether IL-7 has a role in the
biology of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and whether IL-7 dysregulates the expression of B-
cell costimulatory molecules on Tfh cells. We review the literature and provide arguments in
favor of IL-7 being involved in the biology of human Tfh cells. The CD127 IL-7 receptor is
expressed on circulating Tfh and non-Tfh cells, and we show that IL-7, but not IL-6 or IL-21 …
IL-7 was previously shown to upregulate the expression of molecules important for interaction of CD4+ T cells with B cells. It is poorly studied whether IL-7 has a role in the biology of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and whether IL-7 dysregulates the expression of B-cell costimulatory molecules on Tfh cells. We review the literature and provide arguments in favor of IL-7 being involved in the biology of human Tfh cells. The CD127 IL-7 receptor is expressed on circulating Tfh and non-Tfh cells, and we show that IL-7, but not IL-6 or IL-21, upregulates the expression of CD70 and PD-1 on these cells. We conclude that IL-7, a cytokine whose level is elevated during HIV-1 infection, may have a role in increased expression of B cell costimulatory molecules on Tfh cells and lead to abnormal B cell differentiation.
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