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Updated: Dec 28, 2025
Author Spotlight: Achieving High-Purity In Vitro Differentiation of Th17 Cells Using Cytokine Concentration Modulation
Published on: October 25, 2024
Th17 cells increase in RRMS as well as in SPMS, whereas various other phenotypes of Th17 increase in RRMS only
S Kalra1, C Lowndes1, L Durant2
1Royal Stoke MS Centre of Excellence, Neurology Department, University Hospital North Midlands NHS Trust, UK.
Background:
The nature and extent of inflammation seen in multiple sclerosis (MS) varies throughout the course of the disease. Changes seen in CD4+ T-helper cells in relapsing-remitting (RR) MS and secondary progressive (SP) MS might differ qualitatively and/or quantitatively.
Objective:
The objective of this paper is to study the frequencies of all major CD4+ T-helper subtypes - Th17, Th22 and Th1 lineage cells - in relapse, remission and secondary progression alongside CCR6 status, a chemokine receptor involved in migration of these cells into the central nervous system.
Methods:
We compared 100 patients (50 RRMS and 50 SPMS) and 50 healthy volunteers and performed flow cytometric analysis of lymphocytes in blood samples.
Results:
We demonstrated raised frequencies of various cell types along the Th17 axis; Th17, Th17.1 (IL-17+ interferon gamma+) and dual IL-17+ IL-22+ cells in RRMS. Th22 and CCR6+ Th1 cells (nonclassical Th1) were also increased in RRMS. All these cells were CCR6+. Only Th17 frequencies were elevated in SPMS.
Conclusions:
Increased frequencies of Th17 cells are implicated both in RRMS and SPMS. The CCR6 pathway includes Th17, Th22 and Th1 nonclassical cells, of which Th22 and Th1 cells represent the greatest subsets in MS.
Insights
This study found increased frequencies of Th17 cells in both relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). The CCR6 pathway involves Th17, Th22, and Th1 cells, crucial in MS.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Inflammation in multiple sclerosis (MS) varies with disease progression.
- CD4+ T-helper cell profiles may differ between relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate frequencies of CD4+ T-helper subtypes (Th17, Th22, Th1) in MS relapse, remission, and progression.
- To analyze CCR6 chemokine receptor status in relation to these T-helper cells in MS.
- To understand the role of T-helper cell subsets in the central nervous system migration in MS.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of 100 MS patients (50 RRMS, 50 SPMS) and 50 healthy controls.
- Flow cytometric analysis of lymphocyte populations in peripheral blood samples.
- Assessment of Th17, Th22, Th1 lineage cells and CCR6 expression.
Main Results:
- Elevated frequencies of Th17, Th17.1, and dual IL-17+IL-22+ cells observed in RRMS.
- Increased Th22 and CCR6+ nonclassical Th1 cells found in RRMS.
- Only Th17 cell frequencies were elevated in SPMS patients.
Conclusions:
- Increased Th17 cell frequencies are associated with both RRMS and SPMS.
- The CCR6 pathway is implicated, involving Th17, Th22, and nonclassical Th1 cells in MS.
- Th22 and Th1 cells represent significant subsets within the CCR6 pathway in MS pathogenesis.
