Biomaterial Database

Interleukin-7. Biology and implications for dermatology. 1996

P Möller, and M Böhm, and B M Czarnetszki, and D Schadendorf

Department of Dermatology, Virchow Clinic, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.

In recent years, it has become apparent that IL-7, originally characterized as a growth factor for pre-B lymphocytes, also has important implications for the skin. Keratinocytes have been shown to produce IL-7. which in turn can elicit a variety of biological responses on several cell types residing in the skin. IL-7 has been demonstrated to augment the cytolytic activity of cytotoxic T cells (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells against various neoplastic targets including melanoma cells. Proliferation and long-term survival of murine dendritic epidermal T lymphocytes (DETC) in vitro is supported by IL-7. IL-7 also induces secretion of inflammatory cytokines by monocytes/macrophages and renders these cells to become tumoricidal against melanoma cells. Normal and malignant melanocytes respond to IL-7 with increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1). In addition, IL-7 has been shown to act as growth factor for Sezary cells, suggesting a role of keratinocyte-derived IL-7 in the pathogenesis of cutaneous T cell lymphoma. Because of the potent in vitro immunomodulatory effects of IL-7 which have been confirmed in mouse tumor models, IL-7 may become a valuable additional agent to immunotherapeutical regimens currently studied in patients with advanced melanoma. This review summarizes our present knowledge about the molecular and immunological properties of IL7 with emphasis on the effects of that cytokine within the cutaneous compartment and the potential clinical utility in dermatology.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007167	Immunotherapy	Manipulation of the host's immune system in treatment of disease. It includes both active and passive immunization as well as immunosuppressive therapy to prevent graft rejection.	Immunotherapies
D008544	Melanocytes	Mammalian pigment cells that produce MELANINS, pigments found mainly in the EPIDERMIS, but also in the eyes and the hair, by a process called melanogenesis. Coloration can be altered by the number of melanocytes or the amount of pigment produced and stored in the organelles called MELANOSOMES. The large non-mammalian melanin-containing cells are called MELANOPHORES.	Melanocyte
D008545	Melanoma	A malignant neoplasm derived from cells that are capable of forming melanin, which may occur in the skin of any part of the body, in the eye, or, rarely, in the mucous membranes of the genitalia, anus, oral cavity, or other sites. It occurs mostly in adults and may originate de novo or from a pigmented nevus or malignant lentigo. Melanomas frequently metastasize widely, and the regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain are likely to be involved. The incidence of malignant skin melanomas is rising rapidly in all parts of the world. (Stedman, 25th ed; from Rook et al., Textbook of Dermatology, 4th ed, p2445)	Malignant Melanoma,Malignant Melanomas,Melanoma, Malignant,Melanomas,Melanomas, Malignant
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001402	B-Lymphocytes	Lymphoid cells concerned with humoral immunity. They are short-lived cells resembling bursa-derived lymphocytes of birds in their production of immunoglobulin upon appropriate stimulation.	B-Cells, Lymphocyte,B-Lymphocyte,Bursa-Dependent Lymphocytes,B Cells, Lymphocyte,B Lymphocyte,B Lymphocytes,B-Cell, Lymphocyte,Bursa Dependent Lymphocytes,Bursa-Dependent Lymphocyte,Lymphocyte B-Cell,Lymphocyte B-Cells,Lymphocyte, Bursa-Dependent,Lymphocytes, Bursa-Dependent
D012878	Skin Neoplasms	Tumors or cancer of the SKIN.	Cancer of Skin,Skin Cancer,Cancer of the Skin,Neoplasms, Skin,Cancer, Skin,Cancers, Skin,Neoplasm, Skin,Skin Cancers,Skin Neoplasm
D013601	T-Lymphocytes	Lymphocytes responsible for cell-mediated immunity. Two types have been identified - cytotoxic (T-LYMPHOCYTES, CYTOTOXIC) and helper T-lymphocytes (T-LYMPHOCYTES, HELPER-INDUCER). They are formed when lymphocytes circulate through the THYMUS GLAND and differentiate to thymocytes. When exposed to an antigen, they divide rapidly and produce large numbers of new T cells sensitized to that antigen.	T Cell,T Lymphocyte,T-Cells,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocytes,Cell, T,Cells, T,Lymphocyte, T,Lymphocyte, Thymus-Dependent,Lymphocytes, T,Lymphocytes, Thymus-Dependent,T Cells,T Lymphocytes,T-Cell,T-Lymphocyte,Thymus Dependent Lymphocytes,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocyte
D015703	Antigens, CD	Differentiation antigens residing on mammalian leukocytes. CD stands for cluster of differentiation, which refers to groups of monoclonal antibodies that show similar reactivity with certain subpopulations of antigens of a particular lineage or differentiation stage. The subpopulations of antigens are also known by the same CD designation.	CD Antigen,Cluster of Differentiation Antigen,Cluster of Differentiation Marker,Differentiation Antigens, Leukocyte, Human,Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens, Human,Cluster of Differentiation Antigens,Cluster of Differentiation Markers,Antigen Cluster, Differentiation,Antigen, CD,CD Antigens,Differentiation Antigen Cluster,Differentiation Marker Cluster,Marker Cluster, Differentiation
D015851	Interleukin-7	A cytokine produced by bone marrow stromal cells that promotes the growth of B-LYMPHOCYTE precursors and is co-mitogenic with INTERLEUKIN-2 for mature T-LYMPHOCYTE activation.	IL-7,IL7,Lymphopoietin-1,Interleukin 7,Lymphopoietin 1