Functional participation of the IL-2 receptor gamma chain in IL-7 receptor complexes

The gamma chain of the interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor is shared with the functional IL-4 Receptor and is causatively related to X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (XSCID), which is ascribed to a profound T cell defect. Studies with monoclonal Antibodies specific for the IL-2 Receptor gamma chain showed that the gamma chain participates in the functional high-affinity receptor complexes for IL-7 that are involved in the differentiation of T and B cells. Participation of the gamma subunit in more than one receptor may enable the elucidation of the mechanisms of XSCID development and lymphocyte differentiation.