Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Shalapour S
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3288069 | biostudies-literature | 2012
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
PloS one 20120227 2
Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a major survival factor for mature T cells. Therefore, the degree of IL-7 availability determines the size of the peripheral T cell pool and regulates T cell homeostasis. Here we provide evidence that IL-7 also regulates the homeostasis of intestinal epithelial cells (IEC), colon function and the composition of the commensal microflora. In the colon of T cell-deficient, lymphopenic mice, IL-7-producing IEC accumulate. IEC hyperplasia can be blocked by IL-7-consuming T cel ...[more]