IL-7 in SARS-CoV-2 Infection and as a Potential Vaccine Adjuvant
Yonas Bekele, Yongjun Sui, Jay A. Berzofsky
Abstract
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.
Topics & Concepts
AdjuvantMedicineImmunotherapyImmune systemImmunologySevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Vaccine adjuvantCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Cancer immunotherapyInternal medicineDiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)COVID-19 Clinical Research StudiesSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchCancer Immunotherapy and Biomarkers