Interleukin-7 unveils Pathogen-Specific T Cells by enhancing Antigen-Recall responses

Terrazzini, Nadia; Mantegani, Paola; Kern, Florian; Fortis, Claudio; Mondino, Anna; Caserta, Stefano

Abstract

© 2018 The Author(s). Background Interleukin (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 In this study, 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 derived from pathogens, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Candida albicans, and cytomegalovirus, and to the superantigen Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B. Results We found that IL-7 favored the expansion and, i n some instances, the uncovering of pathogen-reactive CD4 T cells, by promoting pathogen-specific interferon-Î 3, IL-2, and tumor necrosis factor recall responses. Conclusions Our findings indicate that IL-7 unveils and supports reactivation of pathogen-specific T cells with possible diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic significance of clinical value, especially in conditions of pathogen persistence and chronic infection.

Citation

Terrazzini, N., Mantegani, P., Kern, F., Fortis, C., Mondino, A., & Caserta, S. (2018). Interleukin-7 unveils Pathogen-Specific T Cells by enhancing Antigen-Recall responses. The journal of infectious diseases : official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 217(12), 1997-2007. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiy096

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 19, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Feb 28, 2018
• Publication Date: May 25, 2018
• Deposit Date: Jun 28, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 3, 2018
• Journal: Journal of Infectious Diseases
• Print ISSN: 0022-1899
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 217
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 1997-2007
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiy096
• Keywords: Candida infection; Pathogen-specific responses; SEB responses; TB infection
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/876313
• Publisher URL: https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/217/12/1997/4913790
• Contract Date: Jul 3, 2018