T helper (Th) 17 cells represent a novel subset of CD4+ T cells that are protective against extracellular microbes, but are responsible for autoimmune disorders in mice. However, their properties in humans are only partially known. We demonstrate the presence of Th17 cells, some of which produce both interleukin (IL)-17 and interferon (IFN)-γ (Th17/Th1), in the gut of patients with Crohn's disease. Both Th17 and Th17/Th1 clones showed selective expression of IL-23R, CCR6, and the transcription factor RORγt, and they exhibited similar functional features, such as the ability to help B cells, low cytotoxicity, and poor susceptibility to regulation by autologous regulatory T cells. Interestingly, these subsets also expressed the Th1-transcription factor T-bet, and stimulation of these cells in the presence of IL-12 down-regulated the expression of RORγt and the production of IL-17, but induced IFN-γ. These effects were partially inhibited in presence of IL-23. Similar receptor expression and functional capabilities were observed in freshly derived IL-17–producing peripheral blood and tonsillar CD4+ T cells. The demonstration of selective markers for human Th17 cells may help us to understand their pathogenic role. Moreover, the identification of a subset of cells sharing features of both Th1 and Th17, which can arise from the modulation of Th17 cells by IL-12, may raise new issues concerning developmental and/or functional relationships between Th17 and Th1.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
6 August 2007
Article|
July 16 2007
Phenotypic and functional features of human Th17 cells
Francesco Annunziato,
Francesco Annunziato
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Search for other works by this author on:
Lorenzo Cosmi,
Lorenzo Cosmi
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Search for other works by this author on:
Veronica Santarlasci,
Veronica Santarlasci
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Search for other works by this author on:
Laura Maggi,
Laura Maggi
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Search for other works by this author on:
Francesco Liotta,
Francesco Liotta
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Search for other works by this author on:
Benedetta Mazzinghi,
Benedetta Mazzinghi
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Search for other works by this author on:
Eliana Parente,
Eliana Parente
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Search for other works by this author on:
Lucia Filì,
Lucia Filì
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Search for other works by this author on:
Simona Ferri,
Simona Ferri
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Search for other works by this author on:
Francesca Frosali,
Francesca Frosali
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Search for other works by this author on:
Francesco Giudici,
Francesco Giudici
2Department of Pathophysiology, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy
Search for other works by this author on:
Paola Romagnani,
Paola Romagnani
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Search for other works by this author on:
Paola Parronchi,
Paola Parronchi
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Search for other works by this author on:
Francesco Tonelli,
Francesco Tonelli
2Department of Pathophysiology, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy
Search for other works by this author on:
Enrico Maggi,
Enrico Maggi
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Search for other works by this author on:
Sergio Romagnani
Sergio Romagnani
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Search for other works by this author on:
Francesco Annunziato
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Lorenzo Cosmi
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Veronica Santarlasci
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Laura Maggi
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Francesco Liotta
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Benedetta Mazzinghi
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Eliana Parente
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Lucia Filì
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Simona Ferri
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Francesca Frosali
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Francesco Giudici
2Department of Pathophysiology, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy
Paola Romagnani
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Paola Parronchi
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Francesco Tonelli
2Department of Pathophysiology, University of Florence, Florence 50134, Italy
Enrico Maggi
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
Sergio Romagnani
1Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders (DENOTHE)
CORRESPONDENCE Sergio Romagnani:[email protected]
Abbreviations used: Ab, antibody; CD, Crohn's disease; CIA, collagen-induced arthritis; EAE, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis; PB, peripheral blood; RA, rheumatoid arthritis.
F. Annunziato and L. Cosmi contributed equally to this paper.
Received:
April 02 2007
Accepted:
June 20 2007
Online ISSN: 1540-9538
Print ISSN: 0022-1007
The Rockefeller University Press
2007
J Exp Med (2007) 204 (8): 1849–1861.
Article history
Received:
April 02 2007
Accepted:
June 20 2007
Citation
Francesco Annunziato, Lorenzo Cosmi, Veronica Santarlasci, Laura Maggi, Francesco Liotta, Benedetta Mazzinghi, Eliana Parente, Lucia Filì, Simona Ferri, Francesca Frosali, Francesco Giudici, Paola Romagnani, Paola Parronchi, Francesco Tonelli, Enrico Maggi, Sergio Romagnani; Phenotypic and functional features of human Th17 cells . J Exp Med 6 August 2007; 204 (8): 1849–1861. doi: https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20070663
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
Sign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionSuggested Content
Email alerts
Advertisement