Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes
Published on: September 26, 2013
Human interleukin 17-producing cells originate from a CD161+CD4+ T cell precursor
Lorenzo Cosmi1, Raffaele De Palma, Veronica Santarlasci
1Department of Internal Medicine and DENOTHE Center, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy.
CD161 is a novel surface marker for human interleukin-17 T helper (Th17) cells. All IL-17-producing cells originate from CD161-positive naive CD4+ T cells, implicating CD161 in Th17 cell development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Interleukin-17 (IL-17) producing T helper (Th17) cells are crucial in host defense and autoimmune diseases.
- Identifying specific markers for Th17 cells is essential for understanding their function and therapeutic targeting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel surface markers for human Th17 cells.
- To investigate the developmental origin of human Th17 cells.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry analysis of CD4+ T cells from circulation and inflamed tissues.
- Analysis of umbilical cord blood and postnatal thymus cells.
- Stimulation of naive CD4+ T cells with IL-1 beta and IL-23.
Main Results:
- CD161 is highly up-regulated in human Th17 clones.
- All IL-17-producing cells were found within the CD161-positive fraction of CD4+ T cells.
- Human Th17 cells exclusively originate from CD161-positive naive CD4+ T cells.
Conclusions:
- CD161 serves as a novel and exclusive surface marker for human Th17 cells.
- Human Th17 cells develop from a CD161-positive naive CD4+ T cell progenitor, influenced by IL-1 beta and IL-23.
Related Concept Videos
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells
Lineage Commitment
Production of Formed Elements
Most HSCs commit to...

