Pouring fuel on the fire: Th17 cells, the environment, and autoimmunity

• Published in: The Journal of clinical investigation Vol. 125; no. 6; pp. 2211 - 2219
• Main Authors: Burkett, Patrick R., Meyer zu Horste, Gerd, Kuchroo, Vijay K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Society for Clinical Investigation 01.06.2015
• Subjects: Animals; Atherosclerosis; Autoimmune diseases; Autoimmune Diseases - immunology; Autoimmune Diseases - pathology; Autoimmunity; Biomedical research; Cell Differentiation - immunology; Crohn's disease; Cytokines; Diabetes; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Genetic aspects; Health aspects; Humans; Inflammatory bowel disease; Interleukin-17 - immunology; Interleukin-23 - immunology; Intestines - immunology; Intestines - microbiology; Metabolic disorders; Microbiota (Symbiotic organisms); Microbiota - immunology; Review Series; Th17 Cells - immunology; Th17 Cells - pathology; United States
• ISSN: 0021-9738; 1558-8238; 1558-8238
• DOI: 10.1172/JCI78085

Cytokines play a critical role in controlling the differentiation of CD4 Th cells into distinct subsets, including IL-17-producing Th17 cells. Unfortunately, the incidence of a number of autoimmune diseases, particularly those in which the IL-23/IL-17 axis has been implicated, has risen in the last several decades, suggesting that environmental factors can promote autoimmunity. Here we review the role of cytokines in Th17 differentiation, particularly the role of IL-23 in promoting the differentiation of a pathogenic subset of Th17 cells that potently induce autoimmune tissue inflammation. Moreover, we highlight emerging data that indicate that environmental factors, including the intestinal microbiota and changes in diet, can alter normal cytokine regulation with potent effects on Th17 differentiation and thus promote autoimmunity, which has strong implications for human disease.