Abstract: △Corresponding Author E-mail： liyuhao@nankai.edu.cn Abstract: Interleukin 7 receptor (IL7R) is a transmembrane receptor that belongs to the type Ⅰ cytokine receptor fami⁃ ly. It consists of the cytokine-specific α-chain (IL7Rα, CD127) and the shared common cytokine γ-chain (γc, CD132). IL-7R is expressed in various cell types, including lymphoid precursor cells, pro-B cells, T cells, thymocytes, dendritic cells, myeloid cells and monocytes. Under physiological conditions, IL7R is a vital cytokine for development and survival of T and B cells. IL7R plays a key role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene encoding IL7Rα have emerged through genetic studies of MS patients. In experimental autoimmune encephalomy⁃ elitis (EAE) mouse model of MS, treatment with neutralizing anti-IL7Rα antibody results in significant improvement of EAE. Therefore, IL7R may serve as a novel target for MS therapies.

Key words: receptors, interleukin-7, lymphocytes, multiple sclerosis, review