title: Induction, function and regulation of IL-17-producing T cells.
abstract: Recent reports have provided convincing evidence that IL-17-producing T cells play a key role in the pathogenesis of organ-specific autoimmune diseases, a function previously attributed exclusively to IFN-gamma-secreting Th1 cells. Furthermore, it appears that IL-17-producing T cells can also function with Th1 cells to mediate protective immunity to pathogens. Although much of the focus has been on IL-17-secreting CD4+ T cells, termed Th17 cells, CD8+ T cells, gammadelta T cells and NKT cells are also capable of secreting IL-17. The differentiation of Th17 cells from naïve T cells appears to involve signals from TGF-beta, IL-6, IL-21, IL-1beta and IL-23. Furthermore, IL-1alpha or IL-1beta in synergy with IL-23 can promote IL-17 secretion from memory T cells. The induction or function of Th17 cells is regulated by cytokines secreted by the other major subtypes of T cells, including IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-10 and at high concentrations, TGF-beta. The main function of IL-17-secreting T cells is to mediate inflammation, by stimulating production of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6, and inflammatory chemokines that promote the recruitment of neutrophils and macrophages.
authors.affiliation: Immune Regulation Research Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. Kingston.mills@tcd.ie
authors.forename: Kingston H G
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Mills
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D020381:Interleukin-17; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D014157:Transcription Factors