Human interleukin 17-producing cells originate from a CD161+CD4+ T cell precursor

J Exp Med. 2008 Aug 4;205(8):1903-16. doi: 10.1084/jem.20080397. Epub 2008 Jul 28.

Abstract

We demonstrate that CD161 is a highly up-regulated gene in human interleukin (IL) 17 T helper cell (Th17) clones and that all IL-17-producing cells are contained in the CD161(+) fraction of CD4(+) T cells present in the circulation or in inflamed tissues, although they are not CD1-restricted natural killer T cells. More importantly, we show that all IL-17-producing cells originate from CD161(+) naive CD4(+) T cells of umbilical cord blood, as well as of the postnatal thymus, in response to the combined activity of IL-1 beta and IL-23. These findings implicate CD161 as a novel surface marker for human Th17 cells and demonstrate the exclusive origin of these cells from a CD161(+)CD4(+) T cell progenitor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antigens, Surface / genetics*
  • Antigens, Surface / metabolism*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Crohn Disease / genetics
  • Crohn Disease / immunology
  • Fetal Blood / cytology
  • Fetal Blood / immunology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / immunology
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / immunology
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Interleukin-17 / biosynthesis*
  • Lectins, C-Type / genetics*
  • Lectins, C-Type / metabolism*
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3
  • Psoriasis / genetics
  • Psoriasis / immunology
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Interleukin / genetics
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid / genetics
  • Receptors, Thyroid Hormone / genetics
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • Th1 Cells / cytology
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / cytology
  • Th2 Cells / immunology
  • Thymus Gland / cytology
  • Thymus Gland / immunology
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • IL23R protein, human
  • Interleukin-17
  • KLRB1 protein, human
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RORC protein, human
  • Receptors, Interleukin
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid
  • Receptors, Thyroid Hormone