Harnessing the Therapeutic Potential of Th17 Cells

Figure 1

Th17 cell plasticity. Cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-23 activate the Th17 cell-specific differentiation program (centre) through activating the transcription factor RORγt. IL-12 and IL-23 induce the transcription factors RUNX1/3 and T-bet in Th17 cells leading to IFNγ and in some cases GM-CSF production. This is augmented by stimulation of the coreceptor ICOS (upper left). Exposure of Th17 cells to IL-6 can induce IL-22 production (lower left). Treatment with biologic anti-TNFα agents or exposure to TGFβ has been shown to promote IL-10 production accompanied by, in some studies, the expression of the transcription factor FoxP3. Th17 cells can also gain the ability to express ectonucleotidase in response to TGFβ (upper right). Finally, IL-4 can promote the generation of a Th17/Th2 cell type capable of producing IL-4. These cells express the transcription factor GATA-3 (lower right).