Multiparametric analysis of cytokine-driven human Th17 differentiation reveals a differential regulation of IL-17 and IL-22 production

Blood. 2009 Oct 22;114(17):3610-4. doi: 10.1182/blood-2009-05-223768. Epub 2009 Aug 24.

Abstract

T helper 17 (Th17) cells produce IL-17 but can also make tumor necrosis factor, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-21, and IL-22. These cytokines collectively contribute to the functional outcome of the Th response. IL-22 plays a critical role in some Th17-associated diseases, such as psoriasis, but its relationship to IL-17 remains controversial. Here, we used a systematic multiparametric analysis of Th-17-associated cytokines, which revealed the unexpected finding that the regulation pattern of IL-22 was most closely related to interferon-gamma, the prototypical Th1 cytokine, and not to IL-17. To explain this observation, we systematically tested the role of Th1- and Th17-inducing cytokines. We could show that IL-12 and IL-23 induced high levels of IL-22 but no IL-17. Conversely, transforming growth factor-beta inhibited IL-22 production but promoted IL-17. Thus, IL-17 and IL-22 are differentially regulated during cytokine-induced Th cell differentiation. This has important implications for the understanding and pharmacologic manipulation of Th17-associated pathologies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Interleukin-17 / genetics
  • Interleukin-17 / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-22
  • Interleukins / genetics
  • Interleukins / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / metabolism*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism

Substances

  • Interleukin-17
  • Interleukins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Interferon-gamma