Open AccessFunctional relevance of T helper 17 (Th17) cells and the IL‐17 cytokine family in inflammatory bowel disease
Author(s) -
Hundorfean Gheorghe,
Neurath Markus F.,
Mudter Jonas
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
inflammatory bowel diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.932
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1536-4844
pISSN - 1078-0998
DOI - 10.1002/ibd.21677
Subject(s) - immunology , inflammatory bowel disease , cytokine , proinflammatory cytokine , interleukin 23 , acquired immune system , inflammation , interleukin 17 , pathogenesis , medicine , t helper cell , disease , innate lymphoid cell , t cell , immune system , pathology
The recent discovery and characterization of T helper 17 cells (Th17) and their signature cytokines (IL‐17) represents a hallmark in T‐cell immunobiology by providing a new distinctive pathway for the communication between adaptive and innate immunity. From the six members of the IL‐17 cytokine family presently known, at least two have evident proinflammatory qualities and are involved in several chronic inflammatory disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IL‐17A and IL‐17F are abundantly found in inflamed IBD mucosa, suggesting their pivotal role in IBD. However, the precise implication of IL‐17 cytokine family members in IBD pathogenesis and the mechanisms regulating their secretion are incompletely understood. Importantly, recent findings suggest that beyond IL‐17 production‐Th17 cells may secret a plethora of other effector cytokines such as IL‐21, IL‐22, and IL‐9‐ which is in part induced by its own IL‐9 production. However, the use of anti‐IL‐17 therapeutic strategies in experimental models of chronic inflammation results in disease‐ameliorating effects suggesting their potential use in IBD patients. In this review article we discuss the latest findings on the role of Th17 cells and IL‐17 family members in IBD immunopathology, as well as research perspectives. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011;)