IL-7 plays a vital role in the proliferation, survival, and homeostasis of T and B cells. It stimulates the development of lymphoid progenitors and is essential for the growth of pre-B cells . IL-7 acts through its receptor, a heterodimer consisting of IL-7Rα (CD127) and the common γc chain (CD132), which is shared by other cytokine receptors like IL-2, IL-4, IL-9, IL-15, and IL-21 .
Recombinant human IL-7, produced in yeast, is used extensively in research and clinical settings. It is optimized for use in cell culture, functional assays, and differentiation studies. The recombinant form retains the biological activity of natural IL-7 and is crucial for various applications, including in vitro T cell expansion, T cell priming, and differentiation of T cells and iNKT cells .
IL-7 is indispensable for immune cell development and homeostasis. Deficiencies in IL-7 or its receptor can lead to severe immunodeficiency . Clinical trials of recombinant IL-7 have demonstrated its safety and potent immune reconstitution effects, making it a promising candidate for immune intervention strategies .
Recombinant IL-7 is produced in yeast to ensure high purity and biological activity. It is sterile-filtered prior to lyophilization, with endotoxin levels generally below 0.1 ng/μg and purities above 95% . The biological activity is tested in appropriate bioassays, ensuring reproducible cell culture conditions without the need for time-consuming lot-to-lot testing .