Interleukin-7 receptor complex (IL-7R)

The Interleukin-7 receptor (IL-7R) complex is a heterodimeric type I cytokine receptor composed of the IL-7 receptor alpha chain (CD127) and the common cytokine receptor gamma chain (CD132) (UniProt P16871, P31785). It plays a fundamental role in the development, survival, and homeostatic proliferation of T-cells and B-cells by activating the JAK/STAT (specifically JAK1, JAK3, and STAT5) and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways (PubMed: 21549330). Dysregulation of IL-7R signaling is implicated in various pathologies; gain-of-function mutations or overexpression are frequently observed in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), while genetic deficiencies lead to severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) (PubMed: 21909101). Additionally, polymorphisms in the IL7RA gene are strongly associated with susceptibility to autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes (PubMed: 17660530). Therapeutic strategies include monoclonal antibodies that antagonize the receptor to treat chronic inflammation and recombinant IL-7 variants designed to boost immune function in patients with lymphopenia or certain viral infections (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04025164).

Other names

CD127/CD132 complexIL-7RA/IL-2RG complexInterleukin-7 receptor alpha/gamma chain complexIL-7 receptor

Antagonism of the IL-7R alpha subunit to block IL-7-mediated pro-inflammatory signaling in autoimmune diseases, or agonism via recombinant IL-7 to stimulate lymphocyte production and survival in immunodeficiency or cancer.