Th17 Cells and Cytokines in Leprosy: Understanding the Immune Response and Polarization

Larissa Marchi Zaniolo1,2, Amílcar Sabino Damazo2,3

  • 1Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias, Biológicas, Engenharias e da Saúde, Tangará da Serra, MT, Brasil.

While there are conflicting data concerning interleukin (IL)-17 levels in the serum of patients with leprosy compared with those in healthy controls, higher levels have been more evident in the tuberculoid clinical form of leprosy and type 1 reactions. This review aimed to highlight the role of Th17 cells and their cytokines in leprosy. Cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-23 induce Th17, while transforming growth factor beta and IL-10 inhibit Th17, indicating that the balance between Th17 and regulatory T cells is crucial for leprosy polarization. However, more comprehensive paired studies are required to better elucidate the role of Th17 cells in leprosy.

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