Positive Effects of Glucocorticoids on T Cell Function by Up-Regulation of IL-7 Receptor α

作者：Denis Paul Franchimont, Jérôme Galon, Melanie S. Vacchio, Samuel Fan, Roberta Visconti, David M. Frucht, Vincent G. Geenen, George Panagiotis Chrousos, Jonathan D. Ashwell, John J. O’Shea · 发表于：The Journal of Immunology · 年份：2002 · DOI：10.4049/jimmunol.168.5.2212 · 被引用次数：166 · 研究领域：Cytokine Signaling Pathways and Interactions、T-cell and B-cell Immunology、Immune Cell Function and Interaction

Despite the effects of glucocorticoids on immune function, relatively little is known about glucocorticoid-inducible genes and how their products may regulate lymphocyte function. Using DNA microarray technology to analyze gene expression in PBMC from healthy donors, we identified IL-7Ralpha as a glucocorticoid-inducible gene. This observation was confirmed at the mRNA and protein levels. Conversely, TCR signaling decreased IL-7Ralpha expression, and the relative strength of signaling between these two receptors determined the final IL-7Ralpha levels. The up-regulation of IL-7Ralpha by glucocorticoids was associated with enhanced IL-7-mediated signaling and function. Moreover, IL-7-mediated inhibition of apoptosis at increasing concentrations of glucocorticoids is consistent with enhanced cell sensitivity to IL-7 following glucocorticoid exposure. These observations provide a mechanism by which glucocorticoids may have a positive influence on T cell survival and function.