T(H)-17 cells in the circle of immunity and autoimmunity.
CD4(+) effector T cells have been categorized into two subsets: T helper type 1 (T(H)1) and T(H)2. Another subset of T cells that produce interleukin 17 (IL-17; 'T(H)-17 cells') has been identified that is highly proinflammatory and induces severe autoimmunity. Whereas IL-23 serves to expand previously differentiated T(H)-17 cell populations, IL-6 and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) induce the differentiation of T(H)-17 cells from naive precursors. These data suggest a dichotomy between CD4(+) regulatory T cells positive for the transcription factor Foxp3 and T(H)-17 cells: TGF-beta induces Foxp3 and generates induced regulatory T cells, whereas IL-6 inhibits TGF-beta-driven Foxp3 expression and together with TGF-beta induces T(H)-17 cells. Emerging data regarding T(H)-17 cells suggest a very important function for this T cell subset in immunity and disease.
Bettelli
Estelle
E
Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Oukka
Mohamed
M
Kuchroo
Vijay K
VK
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000276:immunology*; D053722:Receptors, Interleukin-17 / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D020381:Interleukin-17; D053722:Receptors, Interleukin-17