The ins and outs of IL-7R-mediated signaling in leukemia

Interleukin 7 (IL-7) and its receptor (IL-7R, a heterodimer of IL-7Rα and γc) are essential for normal lymphoid development. In their absence, severe combined immunodeficiency occurs. By contrast, excessive IL-7/IL-7R-mediated signaling can drive lymphoid leukemia development, disease acceleration and resistance to chemotherapy. Combining different in vitro and in vivo models we have been trying to understand how IL-7R-mediated signaling works in leukemic cells (as opposed to norm