Interleukin-7 receptor α is essential for the development of γδ+ T cells, but not natural killer cells

Abstract

Mice that lack a functional γc subunit of the receptors for interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15 display profound defects in lymphoid development. The IL-7/IL-7R system represents a critical interaction for conventional T and B cell development. In this report, the role of IL-7Rα in the development of lymphoid lineages other than conventional T and B cells was examined. We demonstrate that γδ+ T cells were absent in IL-7Rα- deficient mice, whereas the development and function of natural killer cells were normal. Thus, IL-7Rα function is required for the development of γδ+ T cells but not natural killer cells.