Clinical and Developmental Immunology (Jan 2013)

Pivotal Roles of T-Helper 17-Related Cytokines, IL-17, IL-22, and IL-23, in Inflammatory Diseases

  • Ning Qu,
  • Mingli Xu,
  • Izuru Mizoguchi,
  • Jun-ichi Furusawa,
  • Kotaro Kaneko,
  • Kazunori Watanabe,
  • Junichiro Mizuguchi,
  • Masahiro Itoh,
  • Yutaka Kawakami,
  • Takayuki Yoshimoto

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/968549
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2013

Abstract

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T-helper 17 (Th17) cells are characterized by producing interleukin-17 (IL-17, also called IL-17A), IL-17F, IL-21, and IL-22 and potentially TNF-α and IL-6 upon certain stimulation. IL-23, which promotes Th17 cell development, as well as IL-17 and IL-22 produced by the Th17 cells plays essential roles in various inflammatory diseases, such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, and Concanavalin A-induced hepatitis. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of the functional role of Th17 cells, with particular focus on the Th17 cell-related cytokines such as IL-17, IL-22, and IL-23, in mouse models and human inflammatory diseases.