IL-17 in protective immunity to intracellular pathogens

SA Khader, R Gopal - Virulence, 2010 - Taylor & Francis
Virulence, 2010Taylor & Francis
The identification of a new T cell subset referred to as T helper 17 (Th17) cells and its role in
protective immunity against extracellular bacterial infections is well established. In contrast,
initial studies suggested that the IL-23-IL-17 pathway was not required for protection against
intracellular pathogens such as mycobacterial infections. However, recent studies
demonstrate that Th17-IL-23 pathway may play a crucial role in protective immunity against
other intracellular pathogens by regulating the innate and adaptive immune responses. The …
The identification of a new T cell subset referred to as T helper 17 (Th17) cells and its role in protective immunity against extracellular bacterial infections is well established. In contrast, initial studies suggested that the IL-23-IL-17 pathway was not required for protection against intracellular pathogens such as mycobacterial infections. However, recent studies demonstrate that Th17-IL-23 pathway may play a crucial role in protective immunity against other intracellular pathogens by regulating the innate and adaptive immune responses. The current outlook on the role of IL-23-IL-17 pathway in protective immunity to intracellular pathogens is discussed here.
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