IL‐17 and anti‐bacterial immunity: Protection versus tissue damage

IL‐17 can impact health in a variety of ways. It is protective for some pathogens but it is also associated with tissue damaging inflammation. By examining the role of IL‐17 in a variety of bacterial infections the mechanisms by which this cytokine mediates both protection and damage can be dissected. A key element in understanding the role of this cytokine is determining where and when it is acting. Dissecting its essential protective role from its immunopathologic role will allow for improved intervention in both acute and chronic disease.