Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Trends Immunol. 2011 Sep;32(9):395-401. doi: 10.1016/j.it.2011.06.007. Epub 2011 Jul 23.
T helper (Th)17 cells have been proposed to represent a new CD4(+) T cell lineage that is important for host defense against fungi and extracellular bacteria, and the development of autoimmune diseases. Precisely how these cells arise has been the subject of some debate, with apparent species-specific differences in mice and humans. Here, we describe evolving views of Th17 specification, highlighting the contribution of transforming growth factor-β and the opposing roles of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 and STAT5. Increasing evidence points to heterogeneity and inherent phenotypic instability in this subset. Ideally, better understanding of expression and action of key transcription factors and the epigenetic landscape of Th17 can help explain the flexibility and diversity of interleukin-17-producing cells.
辅助性 T 细胞 17（Th17）细胞被认为代表了一种新的 CD4+T 细胞谱系，对于宿主抵抗真菌和细胞外细菌以及自身免疫性疾病的发生非常重要。这些细胞是如何产生的一直存在争议，在小鼠和人类中似乎存在明显的种属特异性差异。在这里，我们描述了 Th17 细胞的特异性演变观点，强调了转化生长因子-β的作用以及信号转导和转录激活因子（STAT）3 和 STAT5 的相反作用。越来越多的证据表明该亚群存在异质性和固有表型不稳定性。理想情况下，更好地理解关键转录因子的表达和作用以及 Th17 的表观遗传景观有助于解释白细胞介素-17 产生细胞的灵活性和多样性。
