[The differentiation and regulation of antigen-specific Th17 cells].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the differentiation and regulation of antigen specific Th17 cells in vitro.


METHODS
Naive CD4(+) T cells from OVA-TCR-transgenic mice (OVA-TCR-Tg) were isolated and co-cultured with splenocytes from normal BALB/c mice under different culture conditions. The expression and production of IL-17 and other cytokines were assessed.


RESULTS
OVA peptide alone mainly induced Th1 type responses. Addition of TGF-beta plus IL-6 induced Th17 response. Furthermore, addition of IL-23 to cell culture could promote the differentiation of Th17 cells. Blocking of IFN-gamma and IL-4 by neutralizing monoclonal antibodies enhanced the percentage of IL-17-producing cells. LPS could promote the production of Th1 cytokines but had no significant effect on IL-17 expression.


CONCLUSIONS
Antigen specific Th17 cells are distinct from antigen specific Th1 and Th2 cells. TGF-beta, IL-6 and IL-23 are the factors responsible for promoting the differentiation and development of Th17 subset, whereas IFN-gamma and IL-4 have inhibitory effects.
Yang
Jing
J
Department of Immunology, State Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China. yangjing.811023@yahoo.com.cn
Jia
Lei
L
Li
Li
L
Wu
Chang-you
CY
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000378:metabolism*; D053759:Interleukin-23 / Q000494:pharmacology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology
D000906:Antibodies; D020381:Interleukin-17; D053759:Interleukin-23; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma