The biology and functions of Th22 cells

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2014:841:209-30. doi: 10.1007/978-94-017-9487-9_8.

Abstract

T helper (Th) cells develop from naïve CD4(+) T cells under lineage-specific culture conditions and are nominated by their lineage-specific cytokines. Th22 cells, new players in adoptive immune responses, are identified by the production of interleukin (IL)-22. Plenty of observations are obtained over the past few years indicating that IL-22 is produced by activated T cells including Th22 cells, Th17 cells, Th1 cells, innate lymphoid cells and some nonlymphocytes. IL-22 functions synergistically with IL-17 or tumor necrosis factor (TNF), however, it plays different roles by IL-22/IL-22 receptor signal transductions in pathologic processes, including inflammations, autoimmunity, tumor, and digestive organs damages. In this chapter, we focus on the biology of IL-22, the generation and regulation of Th22 cells, the possible signal pathways that involved in the functions of Th22 cells, as well as the relationship between Th22 cells and various diseases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-22
  • Interleukins / physiology*
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Pancreatitis / immunology
  • Psoriasis / immunology
  • Receptors, Interleukin / physiology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / physiology*

Substances

  • Interleukins
  • Receptors, Interleukin
  • interleukin-22 receptor