Relationship between Th17 cells and allograft rejection

Abstract

Thl7 cells, a special kind of auxiliary type T cells, can secrete IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-22, etc., as a newly discovered T-cell subset in recent years. As a different subset from the Thl and Th2 cells, Th17 cells play an important role in the development of a variety of autoimmune diseases. A current study shows that the IL-6 inflammatory response of the organization in combination with the occurrence of TGF-β can induce the differentiation of Thl7 cells. IL-23 can promote the production of IL17, as well as participate in amplification and maintenance of the survival of IL-l7 generating cells. In this process, STAT3 and ROR-γt are key transcription factors for the growing of Thl7 cells. As our knowledge on Th17 family members is rapidly growing and changing, it will be important to specify their involvement in the induction and regulation of allograft rejection in animal models as well as in clinical settings. Herein, we review the key features of Th17 cells and discuss their potential relevance to transplantation immunity.

Keywords

TH17 cells / regulation / allograft / rejection