Evolutionary transition from degenerate to nonredundant cytokine signaling networks supporting intrathymic T cell development.

ABSTRACT: In mammals, T cell development critically depends on the IL-7 cytokine signaling pathway. Here we describe the identification of the zebrafish ortholog of mammalian IL-7 based on chromosomal localization, deduced protein sequence, and expression patterns. To examine the biological role of il7 in teleosts, we generated an il7 allele lacking most of its coding exons using CRISPR/Cas9-based mutagenesis. il7-deficient animals are viable and exhibit no obvious signs of immune disorder. With respect to intrathymic T cell development, il7 deficiency is associated with only a mild reduction of thymocyte numbers, contrasting with a more pronounced impairment of T cell development in il7r-deficient fish. Genetic interaction studies between il7 and il7r

SUBMITTER: Lawir DF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6936713 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature