Balance between Regulatory T and Th17 Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: The Old and the New

Pathogenic mechanisms underlying the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are very complex and not yet entirely clarified. However, the pivotal role of T lymphocytes in the induction and perpetuation of aberrant immune response is well established. Among T cells, IL-17 producing T helpe...

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Main Authors: Alessia Alunno, Elena Bartoloni, Onelia Bistoni, Giuseppe Nocentini, Simona Ronchetti, Sara Caterbi, Valentina Valentini, Carlo Riccardi, Roberto Gerli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:Clinical and Developmental Immunology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/823085
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author Alessia Alunno
Elena Bartoloni
Onelia Bistoni
Giuseppe Nocentini
Simona Ronchetti
Sara Caterbi
Valentina Valentini
Carlo Riccardi
Roberto Gerli
author_facet Alessia Alunno
Elena Bartoloni
Onelia Bistoni
Giuseppe Nocentini
Simona Ronchetti
Sara Caterbi
Valentina Valentini
Carlo Riccardi
Roberto Gerli
author_sort Alessia Alunno
collection DOAJ
description Pathogenic mechanisms underlying the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are very complex and not yet entirely clarified. However, the pivotal role of T lymphocytes in the induction and perpetuation of aberrant immune response is well established. Among T cells, IL-17 producing T helper (Th17) cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells represent an intriguing issue to be addressed in SLE pathogenesis, since an imbalance between the two subsets has been observed in the course of the disease. Treg cells appear to be impaired and therefore unable to counteract autoreactive T lymphocytes. Conversely, Th17 cells accumulate in target organs contributing to local IL-17 production and eventually tissue damage. In this setting, targeting Treg/Th17 balance for therapeutic purposes may represent an intriguing and useful tool for SLE treatment in the next future. In this paper, the current knowledge about Treg and Th17 cells interplay in SLE will be discussed.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1740-2522
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language English
publishDate 2012-01-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series Clinical and Developmental Immunology
spelling doaj-art-ad072ca6a7f24bb6bb9502ffe890afc72025-02-03T05:57:45ZengWileyClinical and Developmental Immunology1740-25221740-25302012-01-01201210.1155/2012/823085823085Balance between Regulatory T and Th17 Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: The Old and the NewAlessia Alunno0Elena Bartoloni1Onelia Bistoni2Giuseppe Nocentini3Simona Ronchetti4Sara Caterbi5Valentina Valentini6Carlo Riccardi7Roberto Gerli8Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Via Enrico dal Pozzo, 06122 Perugia, ItalyRheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Via Enrico dal Pozzo, 06122 Perugia, ItalyRheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Via Enrico dal Pozzo, 06122 Perugia, ItalySection of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Chemotherapy, University of Perugia, Via Enrico dal Pozzo, 06122 Perugia, ItalySection of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Chemotherapy, University of Perugia, Via Enrico dal Pozzo, 06122 Perugia, ItalyRheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Via Enrico dal Pozzo, 06122 Perugia, ItalyRheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Via Enrico dal Pozzo, 06122 Perugia, ItalySection of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Chemotherapy, University of Perugia, Via Enrico dal Pozzo, 06122 Perugia, ItalyRheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Via Enrico dal Pozzo, 06122 Perugia, ItalyPathogenic mechanisms underlying the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are very complex and not yet entirely clarified. However, the pivotal role of T lymphocytes in the induction and perpetuation of aberrant immune response is well established. Among T cells, IL-17 producing T helper (Th17) cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells represent an intriguing issue to be addressed in SLE pathogenesis, since an imbalance between the two subsets has been observed in the course of the disease. Treg cells appear to be impaired and therefore unable to counteract autoreactive T lymphocytes. Conversely, Th17 cells accumulate in target organs contributing to local IL-17 production and eventually tissue damage. In this setting, targeting Treg/Th17 balance for therapeutic purposes may represent an intriguing and useful tool for SLE treatment in the next future. In this paper, the current knowledge about Treg and Th17 cells interplay in SLE will be discussed.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/823085
spellingShingle Alessia Alunno
Elena Bartoloni
Onelia Bistoni
Giuseppe Nocentini
Simona Ronchetti
Sara Caterbi
Valentina Valentini
Carlo Riccardi
Roberto Gerli
Balance between Regulatory T and Th17 Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: The Old and the New
Clinical and Developmental Immunology
title Balance between Regulatory T and Th17 Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: The Old and the New
title_full Balance between Regulatory T and Th17 Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: The Old and the New
title_fullStr Balance between Regulatory T and Th17 Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: The Old and the New
title_full_unstemmed Balance between Regulatory T and Th17 Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: The Old and the New
title_short Balance between Regulatory T and Th17 Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: The Old and the New
title_sort balance between regulatory t and th17 cells in systemic lupus erythematosus the old and the new
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/823085
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