The inflammatory Th 17 subset in immunity against self and non-self antigens

Abstract

T helper cells (Th cells) are traditionally thought to differentiate into Th1 and Th2 subsets based on their cytokine profiles. Recently, a subset of interleukin (IL)-17-producing cells (Th17 cells) which develop and function in a distinct way from Th1 or Th2 cells has been identified. Th17 cells have been shown to play a crucial role in the induction of autoimmune tissue injuries, inflammation and infection. Studies on Th17 subset and its relevant issues offered potential therapeutic targets for patients with autoimmune diseases, cancer, infection and transplant, which may have significant impacts in the prevention and/or treatment of immunity-related diseases in clinics.

• CD4⁺T cells
• Th17 cells
• regulatory T cells
• immune regulation

Abbreviations
Tregs	=	Regulatory T cells
EAE	=	Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
STAT	=	Signal transducers and activators of transcription
CIA	=	Collagen-induced arthritis
IFN-γ	=	Interferon-γ
MOG	=	Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein
TGF-β	=	Transforming growth factor-β
IL-6	=	Interleukin-6
Socs3	=	Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3

Abbreviations
Tregs	=	Regulatory T cells
EAE	=	Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
STAT	=	Signal transducers and activators of transcription
CIA	=	Collagen-induced arthritis
IFN-γ	=	Interferon-γ
MOG	=	Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein
TGF-β	=	Transforming growth factor-β
IL-6	=	Interleukin-6
Socs3	=	Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation for Key Programs (C30630060, Y.Z.), the National Natural Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars (C03020504, Y.Z.), the National Basic Research Program (973 Program, 2003CB515501, Y.Z.), the Knowledge Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (KSCX2-SW-333, Y.Z.), and the Scientific Research Foundation for the Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars of State Education Ministry (2005-546, Y.Z.).