Frontiers in Immunology (Sep 2021)

IL-7 in SARS-CoV-2 Infection and as a Potential Vaccine Adjuvant

  • Yonas Bekele,
  • Yongjun Sui,
  • Jay A. Berzofsky

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.737406
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

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IL-7/IL-7R signaling is critical for development, maturation, maintenance and survival of many lymphocytes in the thymus and periphery. IL-7 has been used as immunotherapy in pre-clinical and clinical studies to treat cancer, HIV infection and sepsis. Here, we discuss the critical function of IL-7 in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of COVID-19 patients. We also summarize a promising role of IL-7 as a vaccine adjuvant. It could potentially enhance the immune responses to vaccines especially against SARS-CoV-2 or other new vaccines.

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