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Updated: Jun 10, 2026

In Vitro Differentiation of Naive CD4+ T Cells into Pathogenic Th17 Cells in Mouse
Published on: October 25, 2024
Proinflammatory T helper type 17 cells are effective B-cell helpers
Meike Mitsdoerffer1, Youjin Lee, Anneli Jäger
1Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
T helper type 17 (TH17) cells, known for inflammation, also act as B-cell helpers. They promote B-cell proliferation, antibody production, and class switch recombination, particularly IgG2a and IgG3 subtypes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- T helper type 17 (TH17) cells are proinflammatory effector T cells.
- TH17 cells are implicated in autoimmune diseases.
- The role of TH17 cells as B-cell helpers is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the capacity of TH17 cells to function as B-cell helpers.
- To determine the impact of TH17 cells and their cytokines on B-cell responses.
Main Methods:
- Transfer of TH17 cells into mice lacking endogenous T cells.
- Analysis of B-cell proliferation, antibody production, and class switch recombination.
- Inhibition of IL-17 signaling.
Main Results:
- TH17 cells induced significant B-cell proliferation in vitro.
- Transfer of TH17 cells triggered robust antibody production and germinal center formation in vivo.
- IL-17 signaling blockade reduced germinal center size and number.
- IL-17 alone drove preferential class switching to IgG2a and IgG3.
Conclusions:
- TH17 cells are effective B-cell helpers.
- TH17 cells and their cytokines play a crucial role in B-cell differentiation and class switch recombination.
- IL-17 contributes significantly to B-cell class switching, particularly to IgG2a and IgG3.
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