Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2011 Mar;31(1):1-8.

Regulation and Function of Th17 Cells

Abstract

Naive CD4+ helper T (Th) cells, upon activation by antigen-presenting cells (APC), differentiate into different types of effecter cells that are characterized by their distinct cytokine production profiles and immune regulatory functions. The Th1/Th2 paradigm implies the existence of 2 different, mutually regulated CD4+ T helper subsets: Th1 cells, driving cell-mediated immune responses involved in tissue damage and intracellular parasite infestation and Th2 cells that mediate IgE production and are particularly involved in eosinophilic inflammation, allergy and the clearance of helminthic infestation. A third member of the T helper set, IL-17-producing CD4+ T cells, now called Th17 cells, were recently described as a distinct lineage that does not share developmental pathways with either Th1 or Th2 cells. The Th17 subset has been linked to autoimmune disorders, being able to produce IL-17, IL-17F and IL-21. This review article summarizes the most recent discovery of the cytokine-mediated regulation and transcriptional programming of Th17 cells and their role in different immune responses and diseases.

MeSH Terms

Antigen-Presenting Cells
Cytokines
Eosinophils
Helminths
Hypersensitivity
Immunoglobulin E
Inflammation
Interleukin-17
Interleukins
Parasites
T-Lymphocytes
Th1 Cells
Th17 Cells
Th2 Cells
Cytokines
Immunoglobulin E
Interleukin-17
Interleukins