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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Mouse Naïve CD4+ T Cell Isolation and In vitro Differentiation into T Cell Subsets
Published on: April 16, 2015
DC activated via dectin-1 convert Treg into IL-17 producers
Fabiola Osorio1, Salomé LeibundGut-Landmann, Matthias Lochner
1Immunobiology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK, London Research Institute, Lincoln's Inn Fields Laboratories, London, UK.
Th cells producing IL-17 play a pro-inflammatory role at mucosal surfaces. Treg at the same sites dampen inflammation and prevent immunopathology. Th cells producing IL-17 (Th17) and Treg are thought to be distinct populations defined by expression of the transcription factors ROR-gammat and Foxp3, respectively. Here, we show that mouse CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg can be converted into a hybrid T-cell population characterized by the expression of Foxp3 and ROR-gammat and the production of IL-17. Conversion was observed upon coculture with DC selectively activated via dectin-1, a C-type lectin receptor involved in fungal recognition, and depended on IL-23 produced by DC. Within the Foxp3(+) population, only Foxp3(+)ROR-gammat(+) T cells but not Foxp3(+)ROR-gammat(-)-T cells become Foxp3(+)IL-17(+) T cells. These results indicate that some Foxp3(+) T cells can produce IL-17 while retaining Foxp3 expression and suggest that Treg could play an unexpected pro-inflammatory role in some settings.
Th cells producing IL-17 play a pro-inflammatory role at mucosal surfaces. Treg at the same sites dampen inflammation and prevent immunopathology. Th cells producing IL-17 (Th17) and Treg are thought to be distinct populations defined by expression of the transcription factors ROR-gammat and Foxp3, respectively. Here, we show that mouse CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg can be converted into a hybrid T-cell population characterized by the expression of Foxp3 and ROR-gammat and the production of IL-17. Conversion was observed upon coculture with DC selectively activated via dectin-1, a C-type lectin receptor involved in fungal recognition, and depended on IL-23 produced by DC. Within the Foxp3(+) population, only Foxp3(+)ROR-gammat(+) T cells but not Foxp3(+)ROR-gammat(-)-T cells become Foxp3(+)IL-17(+) T cells. These results indicate that some Foxp3(+) T cells can produce IL-17 while retaining Foxp3 expression and suggest that Treg could play an unexpected pro-inflammatory role in some settings.
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