IL-17 production is dominated by γδ T cells rather than CD4 T cells during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

E Lockhart, AM Green, JAL Flynn - The Journal of Immunology, 2006 - journals.aai.org
E Lockhart, AM Green, JAL Flynn
The Journal of Immunology, 2006journals.aai.org
IL-17 is a cytokine produced by T cells in response to IL-23. Recent data support a new
subset of CD4 Th cells distinct from Th1 or Th2 cells that produce IL-17 and may contribute
to inflammation. In this study, we demonstrate that, in naive mice, as well as during
Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, IL-17 production is primarily from γδ T cells and other
non-CD4+ CD8+ cells, rather than CD4 T cells. The production of IL-17 by these cells is
stimulated by IL-23 alone, and strongly induced by the cytokines, including IL-23, produced …
Abstract
IL-17 is a cytokine produced by T cells in response to IL-23. Recent data support a new subset of CD4 Th cells distinct from Th1 or Th2 cells that produce IL-17 and may contribute to inflammation. In this study, we demonstrate that, in naive mice, as well as during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, IL-17 production is primarily from γδ T cells and other non-CD4+ CD8+ cells, rather than CD4 T cells. The production of IL-17 by these cells is stimulated by IL-23 alone, and strongly induced by the cytokines, including IL-23, produced by M. tuberculosis-infected dendritic cells. IL-23 is present in the lungs early in infection and the IL-17-producing cells, such as γδ T cells, may represent a central innate protective response to pulmonary infection.
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