Th17: an effector CD4 T cell lineage with regulatory T cell ties.
The naive CD4 T cell is a multipotential precursor with defined antigen recognition specificity but substantial plasticity for development down distinct effector or regulatory lineages, contingent upon signals from cells of the innate immune system. The range of identified effector CD4 T cell lineages has recently expanded with description of an IL-17-producing subset, called Th17, which develops via cytokine signals distinct from, and antagonized by, products of the Th1 and Th2 lineages. Remarkably, Th17 development depends on the pleiotropic cytokine TGF-beta, which is also linked to regulatory T cell development and function, providing a unique mechanism for matching CD4 T cell effector and regulatory lineage specification. Here, we review Th17 lineage development, emphasizing similarities and differences with established effector and regulatory T cell developmental programs that have important implications for immune regulation, immune pathogenesis, and host defense.
Weaver
Casey T
CT
Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294; Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294. Electronic address: cweaver@uab.edu.
Harrington
Laurie E
LE
Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294.
Mangan
Paul R
PR
Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294.
Gavrieli
Maya
M
Department of Pathology and Center for Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.
Murphy
Kenneth M
KM
Department of Pathology and Center for Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019070:Cell Lineage; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology
D020381:Interleukin-17