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Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes
Published on: September 27, 2013
Differentiation and functional analysis of human T(H)17 cells.
Simone Burgler1, Nadia Ouaked, Claudio Bassin
1Swiss Institute for Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, Davos, Switzerland.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|January 31, 2009
Summary
Human T(H)17 cells, crucial in autoimmune diseases, uniquely modulate bronchial epithelial cells. Their differentiation requires specific cytokines, and they express RORC2, also found in other T cell types.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- T helper 17 (T(H)17) cells are implicated in autoimmune disorders, allergy, and asthma.
- Regulatory T (Treg) cells counteract inflammatory and allergen-driven responses.
- Both T(H)17 and Treg cells depend on TGF-beta for development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the differentiation and function of human T(H)17 cells compared to other T(H) cell subsets.
- To elucidate the specific requirements for T(H)17 cell differentiation and function.
Main Methods:
- Naive human CD4(+) T cells were differentiated in vitro.
- Gene expression was analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR, ELISA, and immunofluorescence.
- T(H) cell subset function was assessed via coculture with primary bronchial epithelial cells.
Main Results:
- Differentiated T(H)17 cells potently induce IL-6 and IL-1beta expression in bronchial epithelial cells, unlike Treg and other T(H) cells.
- T(H)17 cell differentiation requires TGF-beta, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-23 for IL-17 production and specific functions.
- TGF-beta alone induces RORC2, a transcription factor also found in Treg, CD25(+), cytotoxic T, and natural killer T cells.
Conclusions:
- Human T(H)17 cell differentiation mechanisms were elucidated.
- T(H)17 cells uniquely modulate primary bronchial epithelial cell function.
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