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Review
. 2015 Dec;63(6):435-49.
doi: 10.1007/s00005-015-0344-z. Epub 2015 Jun 11.

The Role of IL-17 and Th17 Lymphocytes in Autoimmune Diseases

Jacek Tabarkiewicz  1 , Katarzyna Pogoda  2 , Agnieszka Karczmarczyk  3 , Piotr Pozarowski  4 , Krzysztof Giannopoulos  3
Affiliations
Review

The Role of IL-17 and Th17 Lymphocytes in Autoimmune Diseases

Jacek Tabarkiewicz et al. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz). 2015 Dec.

Abstract

The end of twentieth century has introduced some changes into T helper (Th) cells division. The identification of the new subpopulation of T helper cells producing IL-17 modified model of Th1-Th2 paradigm and it was named Th17. High abilities to stimulate acute and chronic inflammation made these cells ideal candidate for crucial player in development of autoimmune disorders. Numerous publications based on animal and human models confirmed their pivotal role in pathogenesis of human systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases. These findings made Th17 cells and pathways regulating their development and function a good target for therapy. Therapies based on inhibition of Th17-dependent pathways are associated with clinical benefits, but on the other hand are frequently inducing adverse effects. In this review, we attempt to summarize researches focused on the importance of Th17 cells in development of human autoimmune diseases as well as effectiveness of targeting IL-17 and its pathways in pre-clinical and clinical studies.

Keywords: Autoimmune diseases; IL-17; Th17; Therapy.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Drugs targeting Th17 pathways and their use in human diseases
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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