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Chinese Journal of Antituberculosis ›› 2018, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (4): 425-428.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-6621.2018.04.015

• Review Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The role and application of cytokines interleukin-7 and interleukin-15 in tuberculosis infection

Bing-ye LIU,De-cheng WANG(),Xiao-yong FAN()   

  1. School of Medicine, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443003,China
  • Received:2018-01-11 Online:2018-04-10 Published:2018-05-14
  • Contact: De-cheng WANG,Xiao-yong FAN E-mail:dcwang99@163.com;xyfan008@fudan.edu.cn

Abstract:

Interleukin (IL)-7 and IL-15, the members of IL-2 family, have attracted much attention because of their important roles in regulating T cell differentiation and proliferation and information and maintenance of immune memory recently. Both IL-7 and IL-15 have a heterotripolymer structure similar to that of IL-2, are involved in the Janus kinase (a class of non-transmembrane tyrosine kinases)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway, and play a role in regulating the balance of the helper T lymphocyte (Th) 1/2 cytokines. Compared with IL-2, IL-7 and IL-15 can sustainably play a role in maintaining anti-tuberculosis (TB) function of T lymphocytes, and differentially diagnose TB due to their dynamic profile during infection. Furthermore,IL-7 and IL-15 can enhance secondary immune responses and play an important role in the development of prophylactic or therapeutic anti-TB vaccines.

Key words: Interleukin-7, Interleukin-15, Immunity,cellular, Tuberculosis, Immune system processes, Review