IL-23/Th17轴与自身免疫性疾病

既往研究认为,自身免疫性疾病主要是Th1/Th2平衡失调所致,但就Th1细胞亚群的研究结果并不能完全解释自身免疫性疾病的发病机制.Th17细胞是新发现的CD4+辅助性T细胞亚群,IL-23是Th17细胞赖以存在,并维持其稳态及扩增,促进其分泌IL-17的必需细胞因子.目前认为,越来越多的研究表明,IL-23/Th17轴参与了多种自身免疫性疾病的病理过程.     

Th17 cells in inflammation and autoimmunity

T helper 17 (Th17), a distinct subset of CD4⁺ T cells with IL-17 as their major cytokine, orchestrate the pathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Dysregulated Th17 cells contribute to inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Candidate biologics are in development for targeting IL-17, IL-17 receptors or IL-17 pathways. Several drugs that impact the IL-17 pathway are already in clinical trials for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In this review we provide evidence for the role of Th17 cells in immune-mediated diseases. An understanding of the role of Th17 in these conditions will provide important insights and unravel novel targets for therapeutic intervention.     

9,10-Anhydrodehydroartemisinin Attenuates Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis by Inhibiting Th1 and Th17 Cell Differentiation

Inflammation - Human inflammatory disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), is a demyelinating disease of central nervous system (CNS). The experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is the most...     

Th17 cells in mucosal immunity and tissue inflammation

T helper type 17 (Th17) cells are a distinct lineage of T cells that produce the effector molecules IL-17, IL-17F, IL-21, and IL-22. Th17 cells have been shown to have critical roles in autoimmunity and tissue inflammation. However, emerging evidence also shows these cells are critical regulators of host immunity against bacterial, fungal, and viral infections at mucosal surfaces. Moreover, these cells can be induced following vaccination and have been shown to be critical for vaccine efficacy against both extracellular and intracellular pathogens. In this issue, we summarize recent progress in our understanding of the function of Th17 cells and where these cells fit in protective immunity and immunopathology.     

Imbalance Between Th17 Cells and Regulatory T Cells During Monophasic Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis

The aim of this study is to explore the dynamic changes in IL-17-expressing T cells (Th17)/Treg expression in monophasic experimental autoimmune uveitis (mEAU). mEAU was induced in Lewis rats with IRBP_1177–1191 peptide and evaluated clinically and pathologically on days 9, 13, 18, 23, 28, 35, and 48. Lymphocytes isolated from inguinal lymph nodes were subjected to flow cytometry to analyze the frequency of Th17/Treg cells. The levels of cytokines (IL-17, IL-6, IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β) in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) was used for measuring the levels of IL-17, IL-6, TGF-β, and Foxp3. Clinical and histopathologic assessment showed that mEAU began on day 9, peaked on day 13, and decreased to normal on day 18. The frequency of Th17 cells increased obviously on day 9, peaking on day 13, while the frequency of Treg cells increased on day 13, peaked on day 18, and remained at a high level until day 48. In the serum, the levels of IL-17 and IL-6 peaked on day 9 and gradually decreased to normal on day 28. The level of TGF-β increased on day 9, peaked on day 13, and decreased to normal on day 35. Meanwhile, the level of IL-10 increased on day 9 and stayed at a high level until day 48. Additionally, the above results were further confirmed by RT-PCR. The imbalance between Th17 and Treg cells contributes to the onset and progression of mEAU, and a compartmental imbalance of Treg over Th17 exists in the recovery phase of mEAU.     

Human Th17 cells: Are they different from murine Th17 cells?

Type 17 Th (Th17) cells have been identified as a distinct population of CD4⁺ effector T cells different from Th1 and Th2 cells. While the pre‐eminent cytokine of Th1 cells is IFN‐γ and that of Th2 cells is IL‐4, the distinctive cytokine of Th17 cells is IL‐17A. However, although murine and human Th1 and Th2 cells exhibit strong similarities, human and murine Th17 cells seem to differ in several aspects.     

Inhibition of Interferon Regulatory Factor 4 Suppresses Th1 and Th17 Cell Differentiation and Ameliorates Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by recurrent episodes of T‐cell‐mediated immune attack on central nervous system (CNS) myelin, leading to axon damage and progressive disability. Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) is expressed predominantly in the immune system and plays an important role in its development and function. Recent study demonstrated that IRF4 was critical for the generation of IL‐17‐producing Th17 cells. However, the effect of IRF4 on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS, needs to be further investigated. In our current study, inhibition of IRF4 with IRF4 siRNA (SiIRF4) decreases EAE scores and infiltration of Th1 and Th17 cells, but increases Treg infiltration. SiIRF4 inhibits Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation in vivo and in vitro. In our DC‐T‐cell coculture system, SiIRF4‐treated DCs resulted in significantly less IFN‐γ and IL‐17 production from T cells. Next, we adoptively transfer CD11c⁺ DCs from SiIRF4‐treated mice into recipient mice and found that these CD11c⁺ DCs ameliorated EAE. Furthermore, CD11c⁺ DCs from SiIRF4‐treated naive mice exhibited significantly reduced expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6 and IL‐12/IL‐23 (p40), and a corresponding increase in anti‐inflammatory IL‐10 expression. In conclusion, inhibition of IRF4 suppresses Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation and ameliorates EAE, via a direct regulation of DCs.     

Autoimmune Th17 Cells Induced Synovial Stromal and Innate Lymphoid Cell Secretion of the Cytokine GM-CSF to Initiate and Augment Autoimmune Arthritis

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IL-23 and the Th17 pathway promote inflammation and impair antifungal immune resistance

Although inflammation is an essential component of the protective response to fungi, its dysregulation may significantly worsen fungal diseases. We found here that the IL-23/IL-17 developmental pathway acted as a negative regulator of the Th1-mediated immune resistance to fungi and played an inflammatory role previously attributed to uncontrolled Th1 cell responses. Both inflammation and infection were exacerbated by a heightened Th17 response against Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus, two major human fungal pathogens. IL-23 acted as a molecular connection between uncontrolled fungal growth and inflammation, being produced by dendritic cells in response to a high fungal burden and counter-regulating IL-12p70 production. Both IL-23 and IL-17 subverted the inflammatory program of neutrophils, which resulted in severe tissue inflammatory pathology associated with infection. Our data are the first demonstrating that the IL-23/IL-17 pathway promotes inflammation and susceptibility in an infectious disease model. As IL-23-driven inflammation promotes infection and impairs antifungal resistance, modulation of the inflammatory response represents a potential strategy to stimulate protective immune responses to fungi.     

Th17 cells induce ectopic lymphoid follicles in central nervous system tissue inflammation

Ectopic lymphoid follicles are hallmarks of chronic autoimmune inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis, Sj?gren's syndrome, and myasthenia gravis. However, the effector cells and mechanisms that induce their development are unknown. Here we showed that in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the animal model of MS, Th17 cells specifically induced ectopic lymphoid follicles in the central nervous system (CNS). Development of ectopic lymphoid follicles was partly dependent on the cytokine interleukin 17 (IL-17) and on the cell surface molecule Podoplanin (Pdp), which was expressed on Th17 cells, but not on other effector T cell subsets. Pdp was also crucial for the development of secondary lymphoid structures: Pdp-deficient mice lacked peripheral lymph nodes and had a defect in forming normal lymphoid follicles and germinal centers in spleen and lymph node remnants. Thus, Th17 cells are uniquely endowed to induce tissue inflammation, characterized by ectopic lymphoid follicles within the target organ.     

Th17及Th17型细胞因子与炎症性肠病

Th17细胞已被划分为一个不同于Th1、Th2和Treg的新的T细胞亚群,以分泌IL-17为主要特征。Th17在防御胞外细菌感染、介导慢性炎症和自身免疫性疾病的发病机制中发挥重要作用。炎症性肠病属于自身免疫性疾病的一种,免疫调节紊乱是其发病的关键因素。免疫学和基因学的发现表明Th17及Th17效应因子在炎症性肠病发病机理中起重要作用。对Th17的进一步深入研究可以加深我们对相关疾病发病机制的认识并指导临床治疗。