Leishmaniamajor co-opts IL-7 feedback in monocytes to suppress CD4⁺ T-cell immunity

Fu, Y.; Toussaint, C.; Sauerland, I.; Reiss, E.; Philipsen, L.; Gintschel, P.; Knop, L.; Braun, A.; Kruse, B.; Dewitz, L.-A.; Amore, J.; Dovhan, V.; Weinert, S.; Jantz-Naeem, N.; Baars, I.; Mohr, J.; Prein, J.; Schwendele, C.; Bruno, P.; Bottcher, M.; Groger, N.; Van Hove, H.; Greter, M.; Becher, B.; Kahlfuss, S.; Schraven, B.; Geffers, R.; Tuting, T.; Joller, N.; Fricke, S.; Saliba, A.-E.; Schuler, T.; Muller, A. J.

doi:10.64898/2026.03.24.713728

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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.03.24.713728

Leishmaniamajor co-opts IL-7 feedback in monocytes to suppress CD4⁺ T-cell immunity

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Abstract

During immune responses, pro-and anti-inflammatory mechanisms must be balanced to ensure pathogen clearance while limiting tissue damage. Monocyte-derived cells contribute to both processes, yet the underlying regulatory circuits remain incompletely defined. Here, we show that a subset of PDPN+IL-7R+ monocyte-derived cells that impair effector CD4 T cell-mediated control of intracellular pathogens, and thus perpetuate the infection. Fibroblast-derived IL-7 drives this immunosuppressive program, which is up-regulated in response to IFN{gamma}. We thus uncover a cytokine-dependent feedback circuit in which elevated IFN{gamma} induces IL-7 production by fibroblasts, licensing immunosuppressive monocyte-derived cells that restrain CD4 T cell responses. This mechanism links excessive inflammation to immune suppression at the expense of pathogen control. Targeting this feedback loop may enable therapeutic strategies that enhance antimicrobial immunity while preserving tissue integrity.

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Fu, Y., Toussaint, C., Sauerland, I., Reiss, E., Philipsen, L., Gintschel, P., Knop, L., Braun, A., Kruse, B., Dewitz, L.-A., Amore, J., Dovhan, V., Weinert, S., Jantz-Naeem, N., Baars, I., Mohr, J., Prein, J., Schwendele, C., Bruno, P., Bottcher, M., Groger, N., Van Hove, H., Greter, M., Becher, B., Kahlfuss, S., Schraven, B., Geffers, R., Tuting, T., Joller, N., Fricke, S., Saliba, A.-E., Schuler, T., Muller, A. J.. 2026-03-26. Leishmaniamajor co-opts IL-7 feedback in monocytes to suppress CD4⁺ T-cell immunity. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.03.24.713728

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