Cutting edge: Spontaneous development of IL-17-producing γδ T cells in the thymus occurs via a TGF-β1-dependent mechanism

Jeong Su Do, Pamela J. Fink, Lily Li, Rosanne Spolski, Janet Robinson, Warren J. Leonard, John J. Letterio, Booki Min*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

108 Scopus citations

Abstract

In naive animals, γδ T cells are innate sources of IL-17, a potent proinflammatory cytokine mediating bacterial clearance as well as autoimmunity. However, mechanisms underlying the generation of these cells in vivo remain unclear. In this study, we show that TGF-β1 plays a key role in the generation of IL-17+ γδ T cells and that it mainly occurs in the thymus particularly during the postnatal period. Interestingly, IL-17+ gd TCR+ thymocytes were mainly CD44highCD25 low cells, which seem to derive from double-negative 4 γδ TCR+1 cells that acquired CD44 and IL-17 expression. Our findings identify a novel developmental pathway during which IL-17-competent γδ T cells arise in the thymus by a TGF-β1-dependent mechanism.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1675-1679
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume184
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 15 2010
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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