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 language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1675-1679 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Immunology |
Volume | 184 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 15 2010 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology