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The IL‐17 pathway as a major therapeutic target in autoimmune diseases
Author(s) -
Hu Yan,
Shen Fang,
Crellin Natasha K.,
Ouyang Wenjun
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05825.x
Subject(s) - autoimmunity , interleukin 17 , proinflammatory cytokine , immunology , interleukin 23 , microbiology and biotechnology , pathogenesis , biology , receptor , cytokine , inflammation , immune system , genetics
Th17 cells are a subset of T helper cells that have been recently found to play important functions in host defense and the pathogenesis of various human autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Th17 cells produce IL‐17A, IL‐17F, IL‐22, and IL‐21, of which IL‐17A and IL‐17F mediate many of the downstream pathologic functions of these cells. IL‐17A and IL‐17F signal through IL‐17RA and IL‐17RC heterodimeric receptors that are mainly expressed on tissue epithelial cells and fibroblasts. While IL‐17A and IL‐17F are important for host defense against many extracellular pathogens, they can also cause excessive tissue damage and exacerbate proinflammatory responses during autoimmunity. The IL‐17 pathway, therefore, is a primary therapeutic target downstream of Th17 cells.