Review Article

Pivotal Roles of T-Helper 17-Related Cytokines, IL-17, IL-22, and IL-23, in Inflammatory Diseases

Figure 2

Schematic representation of Th17 cell-induced inflammatory diseases in humans. Inflammation mediated by Th17 cells has been identified in several human organs or tissues, including the eye, brain, skin, liver, colon, kidney, testes, joint, and lung. Numerous cytokines induced by activated Th17 cells, such as IL-22, IL-17, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-6, play essential roles during the inflammatory diseases. These cytokines lead to the onset of the uveitis, autoimmune encephalomyelitis, psoriasis, hepatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, nephritis, testitis, rheumatic arthritis, and asthma. The counteraction between protective cytokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines decides the final outcome in the organ or tissue.
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