Functions of IL-17-Producing T Cells

IL-17 producers in T cell subsets have been recently identified to play protective roles against bacterial infection by inducing neutrophil infiltrations, organizing granulomas and acquired immunity. During ontogeny, T cells develop, maturate and localize at different tissues depending on V repertoires. V 1+, V 4+ and V 6+ cells are reportedly able to produce IL-17. V 6+ cells, which develop in the thymus at a very early stage of ontogeny, migrate into the uterus and reproductive organs, whereas V 1+ and V 4+ cells, which develop at a later stage in the fetal thymus, migrate into the spleen, lung and liver. V 6+ cells functionally differentiate into IL-17 producers within the thymus and can consequently rapidly exert an ability to produce IL-17 in response to various stimuli. Thus, by finding IL-17-producing T cells will open a new paradigm to reveal the unique ontogeny and novel molecular mechanisms of T cells.