Dual Mechanisms for Balancing Th17 and Treg Cell Fate by CREB

Th17 cells, which express the cytokine IL-17A, and master regulator RORγt, are important in the inflammatory response to fungal and bacterial pathogens, but also have a pathogenic role in many inflammatory disorders. In contrast, regulatory T cells (Treg), expressing the Foxp3 transcription factor, have a suppressive function and can dampen an immune response. The appropriate balance of these distinct effector functions is critical for an effective immune response and autoimmunity can arise if this process goes awry. In this issue, Wang et al. demonstrate a critical role for the transcription factor CREB (cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein) in regulating the balance between inflammatory Th17 and suppressive Treg cells with implications for autoimmunity.