The IL-12/IL-23 axis and its role in Th17 cell development, pathology and plasticity in arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was originally thought to be a T-helper (Th)1-, not a Th2-, associated disorder; however, it currently is unclear whether RA is a Th1- and/or Th17-mediated disease, and what the contributions of these T-cell subsets are in the pathogenesis of RA. Results from studies using different arthritis models have demonstrated that IL-17-producing T-cells are the dominant cell type in the development of arthritis. In addition, a critical role of the IL-23/IL-17 axis in the progression to chronic destructive arthritis has been demonstrated. Interestingly, Th1 and Th17 cells both may have unique pathogenic potential, and the recent insights into T-cell plasticity may change the understanding of the role of T-cell subsets in chronic autoimmune diseases.
Erasmus Medical Center, Departments of Rheumatology and Immunology's Gravendijkwal 230, 3015 CE Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Ferry
F
Cornelissen
Jan P
JP
van Hamburg
Erik
E
Lubberts
D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000502:physiology*; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D053759:Interleukin-23 / Q000502:physiology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D020381:Interleukin-17; D053759:Interleukin-23; D018664:Interleukin-12