TGF-β and Th17 cells related injuries in patients with sulfur mustard exposure

Sulfur mustard (SM) is a vesicating agent that has been employed as a chemical warfare agent. High-dose exposure to sulfur mustard may lead to the damage of rapidly proliferating cells of bone marrow and, therefore, suppression of the immune system. This may be continued as dysfunction of the immune system, and ultimately result in secondary immune disorders. Studies have suggested a role for T cells in SM-induced lung injury. Moreover, observations from animal studies indicate a delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response after skin exposure to SM, providing an understanding that SM can stimulate specific T cell-mediated immune responses. On the other hand, T helper (Th) 17 cells, which are a subset of CD4+ T cells, have recently been reported to be involved in a number of inflammatory, autoimmune, and chronic fibrotic lung diseases. Furthermore, a strong association has been established between the overproduction of profibrotic cytokines like transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and Th17 cell number. In this review, we aimed to go through the new findings about the involvement and interactions of TGF-β and Th17 in SM-related injuries.