白细胞介素7受体在淋巴细胞发育和多发性硬化中的研究进展

The research progress of interleukin 7 receptor in the development of lymphocytes and pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis

白细胞介素7受体(IL7R)属于Ⅰ型细胞因子受体家族成员的跨膜受体,由特异性α链和γ链组成,在淋巴前体细胞、祖B细胞、T细胞、胸腺细胞、树突状细胞、髓样细胞及单核细胞中均可表达。生理情况下,IL7R是淋巴细胞发育中的关键调控分子。IL7R在多发性硬化(MS)的发生中发挥了重要的作用,其多态性与MS密切相关;IL7Rα中和抗体可显著改善实验性变态反应脑脊髓炎小鼠模型的表型。上述研究提示IL7R可能是MS新的治疗靶点。

Interleukin 7 receptor （IL7R） is a transmembrane receptor that belongs to the type I cytokine receptor family. It consists of the cytokine-specific a-chain （IL7Rα, CD127） and the shared common cytokine γ-chain （γc, CD132）. IL-7R is expressed in various cell types, including lymphoid precursor cells, pro-B cells, T cells, thymocytes, dendritic cells, myeloid cells and monocytes. Under physiological conditions, IL7R is a vital cytokine for development and survival of T and B cells. IL7R plays a key role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis （MS）. Single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） in the gene encoding IL7Rα have emerged through genetic studies of MS patients. In experimental autoimmune encephalomy- elitis （EAE） mouse model of MS, treatment with neutralizing anti-IL7Rα antibody results in significant improvement of EAE. Therefore, ILTR may serve as a novel target for MS therapies.