Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026

In Vitro Differentiation of Naive CD4+ T Cells into Pathogenic Th17 Cells in Mouse
Published on: October 25, 2024
Main features of human T helper 17 cells
Francesco Annunziato1, Lorenzo Cosmi, Francesco Liotta
1Laboratory of Immunology, Allergology and Cellular Therapies, Department of Internal Medicine and Denothe Center, University of Florence, Italy.
Abstract:
In addition to T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cells, Th17 cells are a third arm of effector CD4(+) T cells. Human Th17 cells express RORC and CD161 and originate from RORC-expressing CD161(+) precursors, which migrate to lymphoid tissue and differentiate into mature Th17 cells in response to interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-23. Human Th17 cells are rare in inflammed tissues for two reasons: (1) Th17 cells do not produce IL-2 and, therefore, do not proliferate in response to TCR signaling, mainly because of RORC-dependent IL-4I1-mediated mechanisms that interfere with IL-2 gene activation; and (2) Th17 cell shift to a Th1 phenotype in the presence of IL-12; such Th17-derived Th1 cells are considered to be nonclassical Th1 cells and can be distinguished from classical Th1 cells. The possible role of Th17 cells in human tumors is still unclear and even controversial.
Related Concept Videos
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Special Features of Adaptive Immunity
The primary cell types involved in adaptive immunity are T cells and B cells. Each type has a unique role in defending the body against pathogens. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They identify and eliminate infected cells directly,...
Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
B Cell Activation and Differentiation
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...

