Interleukin-7, or IL-7, is a protein that serves as a signaling molecule within the immune system, orchestrating various cellular activities. It plays a role in the body’s defense mechanisms, helping to maintain overall health. Companies like PeproTech develop these proteins for scientific studies and potential medical applications, providing researchers with consistent and pure forms of IL-7.
The Role of Interleukin-7 in the Body
Interleukin-7 is classified as a cytokine, which means it is a type of small protein that cells use to communicate with each other. It is naturally produced by various cells in the body, including stromal cells found in the bone marrow and thymus, as well as epithelial cells in the skin and gut. These locations highlight its connection to sites where immune cells develop and are maintained.
IL-7’s functions involve the development, survival, and maintenance of lymphocytes, a category of white blood cells. These lymphocytes include T-cells and B-cells, which are components of the adaptive immune system, responsible for recognizing and targeting specific pathogens. IL-7 is involved in the early stages of T-cell development in the thymus, supporting their transition through various maturational phases.
The protein binds to a specific receptor on the surface of immune cells, the IL-7 receptor, which is composed of two parts: the IL-7 receptor alpha chain (CD127) and the common gamma chain. This binding initiates a cascade of signals inside the cell, influencing gene expression and cell behavior. One significant effect is the promotion of anti-apoptotic proteins like Bcl-2 and Mcl-1, which helps T-cells survive by inhibiting programmed cell death.
IL-7 also contributes to the overall balance, or homeostasis, of the immune system. It ensures adequate numbers of mature T-cells and B-cells circulate to mount an effective immune response. While its role in human B-cell development is less direct than in mice, it can still promote the proliferation and survival of human B-cell precursors in laboratory settings.
Producing IL-7 for Scientific Use
For scientific research, drug discovery, and clinical trials, a consistent supply of purified and highly active IL-7 is necessary. Obtaining IL-7 directly from human sources is impractical due to limited quantities and the complexities of purification. Therefore, scientists rely on recombinant protein production methods to generate IL-7 outside the human body.
Recombinant protein production involves using genetically engineered cells, often bacteria like Escherichia coli, to manufacture human proteins. The gene for human IL-7 is inserted into these cells, which then act as tiny factories, producing large quantities of the protein. After production, the IL-7 protein must be isolated and purified through a series of biochemical processes, such as chromatography, to remove impurities and ensure high purity.
Companies like PeproTech specialize in these complex manufacturing processes. PeproTech produces recombinant human IL-7 from E. coli. These proteins undergo rigorous quality control measures to ensure they are highly pure, typically greater than 97% purity, and have very low endotoxin levels.
The biological activity of the manufactured IL-7 is also carefully tested, for instance, by its ability to stimulate the proliferation of specific cell lines. This ensures that the recombinant IL-7 behaves similarly to the natural protein in biological systems, providing researchers with a reliable tool for their experiments and potential therapeutic investigations.
IL-7’s Importance in Research and Potential Therapies
Interleukin-7 is a subject of scientific research, offering insights into immune system function and holding promise for various therapeutic applications. Researchers utilize recombinant IL-7 to study how immune cells develop, survive, and respond to different stimuli in controlled laboratory settings. This helps to unravel the mechanisms underlying immune responses.
Beyond basic research, IL-7 is being investigated as a therapeutic agent, particularly for boosting immune responses in individuals with weakened immune systems. In cancer treatment, IL-7 is explored for its ability to increase the number and function of T-cells, which are important for recognizing and eliminating cancer cells. It is being studied with therapies like CAR-T cell therapy, where engineered T-cells target tumors, and checkpoint inhibitor treatments, which unleash the immune system against cancer.
IL-7 has also shown promise in conditions such as HIV infection, where it can help reconstitute T-cell populations in patients who have not fully recovered immune function despite antiretroviral therapy. Clinical trials have demonstrated that IL-7 administration can lead to an increase in T-cell counts and broaden the diversity of the T-cell repertoire. This immune reconstitution could improve the body’s ability to fight off infections and other diseases.
IL-7 is being investigated for its role in treating various immune deficiencies and supporting vaccine development by enhancing the immune response. Studies suggest it could improve outcomes in patients with lymphopenia, a condition characterized by low lymphocyte counts, which can occur after chemotherapy. Many of these applications are currently in various stages of preclinical research or clinical trials, indicating ongoing efforts to translate these findings into effective medical treatments.