Open AccessAre Th17 Cells an Appropriate New Target in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Author(s) -
Kato Hiroshi,
Fox David A.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
clinical and translational science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.303
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1752-8062
pISSN - 1752-8054
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-8062.2010.00233.x
Subject(s) - rheumatoid arthritis , immunology , arthritis , medicine , biology , neuroscience
Th17 cells play crucial roles not only in host defense but also in many human autoimmune diseases and corresponding animal models. Although many of the fundamental principles regarding Th17 biology have been rapidly elucidated in mice, there remain numerous controversies regarding the differentiation, plasticity, and pathogenicity of human Th17 cells. In this review, we consider these open questions in comparison to what has already been clarified in mice, and discuss the potential impact of discoveries related to the Th17 pathway on the development of new therapeutic strategies in Th17 driven autoimmune diseases, specifically rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Trans Sci 2010; Volume 3: 319–326