@Article{ecn.2010.0205,
AUTHOR = {Ann Chahroudi, Guido Silvestri},
TITLE = {Interleukin-7 in HIV pathogenesis and therapy},
JOURNAL = {European Cytokine Network},
VOLUME = {21},
YEAR = {2010},
NUMBER = {3},
PAGES = {202--207},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/ECN/v21n3/65859},
ISSN = {1952-4005},
ABSTRACT = {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.},
DOI = {10.1684/ecn.2010.0205}
}