Synergistic Effects of Interleukin-7 and Pre-T Cell Receptor Signaling in Human T Cell Development |
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Authors: | Ekta S. Patel Lung-Ji Chang |
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Affiliation: | From the Departments of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610 |
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Abstract: | The role of IL-7 in pre-T cell receptor (TCR) signaling during human T cell development is poorly understood. To study this, we engineered Molt3, a T cell progenitor T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line, using lentiviral IL-7 receptor α (IL-7Rα) to serve as a model system. IL-7 promoted pre-TCR activation in IL-7Rαhi Molt3 as illustrated by CD25 up-regulation after anti-CD3 stimulation. Anti-CD3 treatment activated Akt and Erk1/2 signaling pathways as proven using specific inhibitors, and IL-7 further enhanced both signaling pathways. The close association of IL-7Rα with CD3ζ in the pre-TCR complex was illustrated through live imaging confocal fluorescence microscopy. These results demonstrate a direct and cooperative role of IL-7 in pre-TCR signaling. |
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Keywords: | Interleukin Lentivirus Signaling T Cell Biology T Cell Receptor IL-7 T Cell Development Lentiviral Vector Pre-T Cell |
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