Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

In Vitro Differentiation of Naive CD4+ T Cells into Pathogenic Th17 Cells in Mouse
Published on: October 25, 2024
Dysregulation of T Helper 17 Cell Pathway In Vitiligo
Vaibhav Venkatesh1, Deena Mendez2, Rajashekar T Srinivas3
1From the Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research, Kolar, Karnataka, India.
Background:
Dysregulation of the T helper 17 (Th17) cell pathway can result in autoimmune activation and chronic inflammation. Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder characterised by melanocyte cytotoxicity. The aim of this study was to examine the role of the Th17 pathway in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. The three components of the pathway were evaluated using plasma interleukin (IL6), IL23, and IL10 for the modulatory component, STAT3 and RORC gene expression for the mediator component, and plasma IL17A for the effector component.
Method:
The study was carried out using a case-control design. The case group comprised patients diagnosed with vitiligo (n = 30), whereas the control group comprised healthy volunteers (n = 30). The plasma cytokine levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.
Results:
In vitiligo patients, IL6 was 2.3 times higher (P < 0.001), IL23 was 1.1 times higher (P = 0.18), and IL10 was 2.5 times lower (P < 0.001). The fold change in the expression of the STAT3 gene was 2.27 times (P < 0.01) and that of the RORC gene was 3.8 times (P < 0.001) in vitiligo patients. Plasma IL17A was 1.6 times higher (P < 0.001) in vitiligo patients.
Conclusions:
Together, these results indicate that the Th17 pathway is likely to be overactive in vitiligo due to dysregulation.
Related Concept Videos
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Skin Diseases and Disorders
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Cell-mediated Immune Responses
B Cell Activation and Differentiation
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...
