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IL-7 unveils pathogen-specific T cells by enhancing antigen-recall responses

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posted on 2023-06-09, 12:24 authored by Nadia Terrazzini, Paola Mantegani, Florian KernFlorian Kern, Claudio Fortis, Anna Mondino, Stefano Caserta
BACKGROUND: IL-7 promotes the generation, expansion and survival of memory T cells. Previous mouse and human studies showed that IL-7 can support immune cell reconstitution in lymphopenic conditions, expand tumor-reactive T cells for adoptive immunotherapy and enhance effector cytokine expression by autoreactive T cells. Whether pathogen-reactive T cells also benefit from IL-7 exposure remains unknown. METHODS: Here we investigated this issue in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from patients infected with various endemic pathogens. After short-term exposure to IL-7, we measured PBMC responses to antigens (Ag) derived from pathogens, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), Candida albicans (Ca) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and to the superantigen Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB). RESULTS: We found that IL-7 favoured the expansion and, in some instances, the uncovering of pathogen-reactive CD4 T cells, by promoting pathogen-specific IFN?, IL-2 and TNF recall responses. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that IL-7 unveils and supports re-activation of pathogen-specific T cells with possible diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic significance, of clinical value especially in conditions of pathogen persistence and chronic infection

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Journal of Infectious Diseases

ISSN

0022-1899

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Volume

jiy096

Department affiliated with

  • Clinical and Experimental Medicine Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-03-07

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2019-02-28

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-03-07

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