Th1/17 cells, a subset of Th17 cells, are expanded in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus

Anastasia Tsanaktsi1, Elena E Solomou2, Stamatis-Nick C Liossis1

  • 1Division of Rheumatology, Dept of Internal Medicine, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece.

Skewed cytokine production characterizes T cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Among Th17 cells that are expanded in lupus, a subset (Th1/17) retains the ability to produce IFNγ. We aimed to analyze Th17 and Th1/17 cells in patients with SLE. Patients with active disease displayed increased percentages of circulating Τh17 and Th1/17 cells. Stimulated T cells from patients with lupus secreted significantly more IL-17 compared to healthy donors. Also, T cells from patients with active SLE released significantly lower levels of IFN-γ compared to controls. However, following stimulation, levels of IFN-γ also rose significantly. Our data suggest that lupus Th1/17 cells are not only expanded but also functional. In summary, in this study it was shown that patients with active SLE display increased Th17 and functional Th1/17 cells. This impaired T-cell axis might represent a possible future therapeutic target.

Related Concept Videos

B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
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...
16.8K
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
16.1K
Second Order systems II01:18

Second Order systems II

In an underdamped second-order system, where the damping ratio ζ is between 0 and 1, a unit-step input results in a transfer function that, when transformed using the inverse Laplace method, reveals the output response. The output exhibits a damped sinusoidal oscillation, and the difference between the input and output is termed the error signal. This error signal also demonstrates damped oscillatory behavior. Eventually, as the system reaches a steady state, the error diminishes to zero.
411
First Order Systems01:21

First Order Systems

First-order systems, such as RC circuits, are foundational in understanding dynamic systems due to their straightforward input-output relationship. Analyzing their responses to different input functions under zero initial conditions reveals significant insights into system behavior.
When a first-order system is subjected to a unit-step input, its response is characterized by its transfer function. By applying the Laplace transform of the unit-step input to the transfer function, expanding the...
433
Second Order systems I01:20

Second Order systems I

A servo system exemplifies a second-order system, featuring a proportional controller and load elements that ensure the output position aligns with the input position. The relationship between these components is described by a second-order differential equation. Applying the Laplace transform under zero initial conditions yields the transfer function, showing how inputs are converted to outputs in the system.
By reinterpreting the system, one can derive the closed-loop transfer function, which...
602
Plant Cell Wall02:43

Plant Cell Wall

The plant cell wall gives plant cells shape, support, and protection. As a cell matures, its cell wall specializes according to the cell type. For example, the parenchyma cells of leaves possess only a thin, primary cell wall.
60.5K