title: Regulatory T cells vs Th17: differentiation of Th17 versus Treg, are the mutually exclusive?
abstract: Naive CD4(+) cells differentiate into T helper (Th1, Th2, Th9, Th17) and regulatory T (Treg) cells to execute their immunologic function. Whereas TGF-β suppresses Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation, this cytokine promotes Th9, Th17 and Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells depending upon the presence of other cytokines. IL-6 promotes Th17, but suppresses regulatory T cell differentiation. Moreover, natural but not TGF-β-induced regulatory T cells convert into Th17 cells in the inflammatory milieu. Here an update of T cell differentiation and conversion, as well as underlying mechanisms are given.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine Los Angeles, CA. 90033, United States.
authors.forename: Song Guo
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Zheng
keywords: Foxp3+ regulatory T cells; T helper cells; Tfh; Th1; Th17; Th2; Th9; autoimmunity; cytokine; differentiation