Th17 Cell Plasticity and Functions in Cancer Immunity

Figure 1

Th17 cell plasticity. T helper cells differentiate from naïve T cells. Th17 cells are endowed with the capacity to convert toward different other lineage subsets, depending on the microenvironment. Upon steady state Th17 cells constantly convert toward TFH and participate in the development of IgA-secreting germinal center B cells. In addition, Th17 cells acquire pathogenic functions by converting toward Th1 cells during autoimmunity, cancer, and infections or toward Th2 cells during asthma. Alternatively, Th17 cells gain immunosuppressive functions by converting toward Foxp3⁺ Treg cells or TR1 cells in the context of autoimmune diseases or infections.