IL7


IL7

A gene on chromosome 8q12-q13 that encodes interleukin-7, a hematopoietic growth factor which stimulates the proliferation of lymphoid progenitors, including both B and T cells. It forms a heterodimer with hepatocyte growth factor to act as a pre-pro-B-cell growth-stimulating factor. It is also a cofactor for V(D)J rearrangement of the T-cell receptor beta during early T-cell development. IL7 is produced locally by intestinal mucosal cells, and may act as a regulatory factor for intestinal mucosal (GALT) lymphocytes.