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Encyclopedia of AIDS pp 1–9Cite as

Th17 Cells

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Definition

Th17 cells are a distinct functional CD4+ T cell subset, characterized by their expression of the master transcription factor RORγt and secretion of interleukin-17 (IL-17). These cells are found predominantly in the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) and act there to protect the host against extracellular bacteria and fungi. Th17 cells further contribute to mucosal immunity by promoting the regeneration of gut epithelial cells, the maintenance of tight junctions, and the production of antimicrobial peptides. Th17 cells have also been implicated in driving inflammation during certain autoimmune conditions.

Introduction of CD4+ T Cell Subsets

Naïve CD4+ T cells, upon TCR stimulation and costimulation by antigen-presenting cells (APCs), differentiate into distinct CD4+ helper T cell subsets, characterized by their unique cytokine profiles, transcription factors, and different effector functions. The original paradigm for CD4+ T cell differentiation identified two polarized...

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Acknowledgments

Funding: Supported by NIH grants R01-AI084836 (to M.P.)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Colleen S. McGary & Mirko Paiardini

Authors
  1. Colleen S. McGary
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  2. Mirko Paiardini
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mirko Paiardini .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Cell & Molecular Biology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Thomas J. Hope

  2. Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA

    Mario Stevenson

  3. University of California, San Diego Dept. Pathology, La Jolla, California, USA

    Douglas Richman

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McGary, C.S., Paiardini, M. (2014). Th17 Cells. In: Hope, T., Stevenson, M., Richman, D. (eds) Encyclopedia of AIDS. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9610-6_209-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9610-6_209-1

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  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-9610-6

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