title: Th17 cells in central nervous system autoimmunity.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most important autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) has been instrumental in defining the features of the novel T helper cell subset Th17. Conversely, the broad characterization of Th17 immune responses has substantially advanced our understanding of organ-specific autoimmunity and inspired almost a decade of immunological research. Here, we review the current knowledge on Th17 cells and their contribution to the immunopathology in EAE and MS, covering recent proceedings in the induction, modulation and effector mechanisms of this versatile T lymphocyte subset. In particular, we discuss the emerging role of mucosal immunity in the regulation of Th17 cells and CNS autoimmunity, the accumulating evidence for extensive plasticity in the Th17 subset, and their molecular mode of action in promoting this debilitating disease.
authors.affiliation: Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Department of Neurology, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sie
authors.affiliation: Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Department of Neurology, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany. Electronic address: korn@lrz.tum.de.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Korn
authors.affiliation: Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Department of Neurology, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany. Electronic address: mitsdoerffer@lrz.tum.de.
authors.forename: Meike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mitsdoerffer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis; Multiple sclerosis; Th17 cells