IL-23 drives a pathogenic T cell population that induces autoimmune inflammation

CL Langrish, Y Chen, WM Blumenschein… - The Journal of …, 2005 - rupress.org
CL Langrish, Y Chen, WM Blumenschein, J Mattson, B Basham, JD Sedgwick…
The Journal of experimental medicine, 2005rupress.org
Interleukin (IL)-23 is a heterodimeric cytokine composed of a unique p19 subunit, and a
common p40 subunit shared with IL-12. IL-12 is important for the development of T helper
(Th) 1 cells that are essential for host defense and tumor suppression. In contrast, IL-23 does
not promote the development of interferon-γ–producing Th1 cells, but is one of the essential
factors required for the expansion of a pathogenic CD4+ T cell population, which is
characterized by the production of IL-17, IL-17F, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor. Gene …
Interleukin (IL)-23 is a heterodimeric cytokine composed of a unique p19 subunit, and a common p40 subunit shared with IL-12. IL-12 is important for the development of T helper (Th)1 cells that are essential for host defense and tumor suppression. In contrast, IL-23 does not promote the development of interferon-γ–producing Th1 cells, but is one of the essential factors required for the expansion of a pathogenic CD4+ T cell population, which is characterized by the production of IL-17, IL-17F, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor. Gene expression analysis of IL-23–driven autoreactive T cells identified a unique expression pattern of proinflammatory cytokines and other novel factors, distinguishing them from IL-12–driven T cells. Using passive transfer studies, we confirm that these IL-23–dependent CD4+ T cells are highly pathogenic and essential for the establishment of organ-specific inflammation associated with central nervous system autoimmunity.
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