IL7R Gene - Interleukin-7 Receptor Alpha Chain
<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">IL7R — Interleukin-7 Receptor Alpha Chain</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Symbol</td>
<td><strong>IL7R</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Full Name</td>
<td>Interleukin-7 Receptor Alpha Chain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosome</td>
<td>5p13.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">NCBI Gene</td>
<td><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/3575" target="_blank">3575</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Ensembl</td>
<td><a href="https://ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000168685" target="_blank">ENSG00000168685</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">OMIM</td>
<td><a href="https://omim.org/entry/146661" target="_blank">146661</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt</td>
<td><a href="https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P16871" target="_blank">P16871</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Diseases</td>
<td>[Multiple Sclerosis](/diseases/multiple-sclerosis), [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers), [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Expression</td>
<td>T cells, B cells, brain ([neurons](/entities/neurons), microglia)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td><a href="/wiki/als" style="color:#ef9a9a">ALS</a>, <a href="/wiki/aging" style="color:#ef9a9a">Aging</a>, <a href="/wiki/als" style="color:#ef9a9a">Als</a>, <a href="/
...IL7R Gene - Interleukin-7 Receptor Alpha Chain
<table class="infobox infobox-gene">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">IL7R — Interleukin-7 Receptor Alpha Chain</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Symbol</td>
<td><strong>IL7R</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Full Name</td>
<td>Interleukin-7 Receptor Alpha Chain</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosome</td>
<td>5p13.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">NCBI Gene</td>
<td><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/3575" target="_blank">3575</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Ensembl</td>
<td><a href="https://ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000168685" target="_blank">ENSG00000168685</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">OMIM</td>
<td><a href="https://omim.org/entry/146661" target="_blank">146661</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt</td>
<td><a href="https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P16871" target="_blank">P16871</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Diseases</td>
<td>[Multiple Sclerosis](/diseases/multiple-sclerosis), [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers), [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Expression</td>
<td>T cells, B cells, brain ([neurons](/entities/neurons), microglia)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td><a href="/wiki/als" style="color:#ef9a9a">ALS</a>, <a href="/wiki/aging" style="color:#ef9a9a">Aging</a>, <a href="/wiki/als" style="color:#ef9a9a">Als</a>, <a href="/wiki/autoimmune" style="color:#ef9a9a">Autoimmune</a>, <a href="/wiki/fibrosis" style="color:#ef9a9a">Fibrosis</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">71 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
IL7R — Interleukin-7 Receptor Alpha Chain
Overview
Mermaid diagram (expand to render)
Il7R Gene Interleukin 7 Receptor Alpha Chain plays an important role in the study of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides comprehensive information about this topic, including its mechanisms, significance in disease processes, and therapeutic implications.
Introduction
IL7R (Interleukin-7 Receptor Alpha Chain) is a gene located on chromosome 5p13.2 that encodes the alpha chain of the interleukin-7 receptor (IL-7Rα). This receptor is essential for T cell development and survival and has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases through its role in neuroinflammation and immune regulation[^1]. Genetic variants in IL7R are associated with increased risk for multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions[^2].
Gene Structure
The IL7R gene spans approximately 16 kb of genomic DNA on chromosome 5p13.2 and consists of 8 exons. The gene encodes a 439 amino acid type I transmembrane protein that forms the IL-7 receptor α chain. This chain pairs with the common gamma chain (γc, encoded by IL2RG) to form the functional IL-7 receptor[^3].
Normal Function
The IL-7 receptor plays critical roles in immune system development and function:
T cell development: IL-7R signaling is essential for T cell development in the thymus, particularly for survival and proliferation of developing T cells
T cell homeostasis: In mature T cells, IL-7R maintains T cell populations through survival signaling
B cell development: IL-7R also plays a role in B cell development
Immune regulation: Modulates immune responses through cytokine signalingIn the central nervous system, IL-7R is expressed on:
- Neurons (particularly in [hippocampus](/brain-regions/hippocampus) and cortex)
- [Microglia](/cell-types/microglia-neuroinflammation)
- [Astrocytes](/entities/astrocytes)
- [Oligodendrocytes](/cell-types/oligodendrocytes)
Disease Associations
Multiple Sclerosis
IL7R is one of the most significant genetic risk factors for MS:
- GWAS association: Common variants in IL7R are strongly associated with MS susceptibility (odds ratio ~1.2)
- Functional variant: A non-synonymous coding variant (C378R) affects receptor function
- Mechanism: Altered IL-7R signaling affects T cell homeostasis and autoimmunity
Alzheimer's Disease
IL7R has been implicated in AD through neuroinflammation:
- Neuroinflammation: IL-7 signaling in the brain can promote inflammatory responses
- Microglial activation: IL-7R on microglia promotes pro-inflammatory activation
- Cognitive function: IL-7R signaling may affect cognitive processes
Parkinson's Disease
In PD, IL7R contributes to neuroinflammation:
- Dopaminergic neurons: IL-7 can be toxic to dopaminergic neurons
- Microglial activation: IL-7R signaling promotes microglial activation
- T cell infiltration: May contribute to adaptive immune responses in PD
Other Neurological Conditions
IL7R variants have also been associated with:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmunity)
- Type 1 diabetes
- Inflammatory bowel disease
Therapeutic Implications
IL7R represents a therapeutic target:
- IL-7R blockade: Blocking IL-7R signaling may reduce neuroinflammation
- MS therapy: IL-7R targeting is being explored for MS treatment
- Immunomodulation: Modulating IL-7R may benefit neurodegenerative conditions
Key Publications
[Gregory et al., IL7R and multiple sclerosis susceptibility (2007)](https://doi.org/10.1038/nature21351)
[Lundmark et al., Variation in IL7R and risk of multiple sclerosis (2007)](https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddm203)
[Schwartz et al., IL-7 in neurodegeneration (2018)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.12.025)
[Zhang et al., IL7R polymorphisms and Parkinson's disease (2020)](https://doi.org/10.1007/s10048-020-00615-4)See Also
- [Multiple Sclerosis](/diseases/multiple-sclerosis)
- [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
- [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
- [Neuroinflammation](/mechanisms/neuroinflammation)
- [TREM2](/genes/trem2)
- [Microglia in Neurodegeneration](/microglia-in-neurodegeneration)
External Links
- [NCBI Gene: IL7R](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/3575)
- [UniProt: IL7R](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P16871)
- [Ensembl: IL7R](https://ensembl.org/Homo_sapiens/Gene/Summary?g=ENSG00000168685)
- [OMIM: IL7R](https://omim.org/entry/146661)
Overview
Il7R Gene Interleukin 7 Receptor Alpha Chain plays an important role in the study of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides comprehensive information about this topic, including its mechanisms, significance in disease processes, and therapeutic implications.
Background
The study of Il7R Gene Interleukin 7 Receptor Alpha Chain has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
Brain Atlas Resources
- [Allen Human Brain Atlas - IL7R Expression](https://human.brain-map.org/microarray/search/show?search_term=IL7R)
- [Allen Cell Type Atlas - IL7R](https://celltypes.brain-map.org/)
- [BrainSpan - IL7R Developmental Expression](https://brainspan.org/)
- [Allen Mouse Brain Atlas - IL7R](https://mouse.brain-map.org/)
References
[^1]: [Reference missing - citation needed]
[^2]: [Reference missing - citation needed]
[^3]: [Reference missing - citation needed]
Pathway Diagram
The following diagram shows the key molecular relationships involving IL7R Gene - Interleukin-7 Receptor Alpha Chain discovered through SciDEX knowledge graph analysis:
Mermaid diagram (expand to render)