Th17 Cell Function
Th17 cells are not only distinct from other Th cells in their gene expression and regulation, but also in terms of their biological function. Th17 cells, by virtue of their production of IL-17 and IL-17F, are generally thought to be pro-inflammatory and play an important role in host defense against infection, by recruiting neutrophils and macrophages to infected tissues. Although the hallmark of Th17 cells is the expression of IL-17, additional molecules have been identified by microarray analysis as being selectively expressed by Th17 cells.
Since their initial discovery it has become clear that Th17 cells also express the cytokines IL-21 and IL-22. IL-21 is not only expressed at high levels by Th17 cells, but it also binds to its receptor, composed of IL-21R and the common γ chain, expressed by Th17 cells to act in an autocrine manner. Expression of IL-21 is dependent on STAT3-mediated IL-6 signaling in Th17 cells and is thought to act in synergy with TGFβ to promote Th17 differentiation. Th17-secreted IL-22 binds to its receptor on target cells to induce the expression of anti-microbial peptides beta-defensin-2 and beta-defensin-3. Recently, it was demonstrated that IL-22 is able to protect hosts against bacterial infections of the lungs and gut.
eBioscience provides a complete solution for assessing the function of Th17 cells. All of our reagents are validated in relevant Th17 model systems and in gene-deficient models if necessary, to ensure they are the most sensitive and specific reagents available. The most complete set of antibodies for detection of Th17 cytokines by flow cytometry allows study of Th17 development at the single-cell level. Our immunoassay products enable analysis of analytes in either serum or tissue culture supernatant and our FlowCytomix™ allows multi-parameter analysis of cytokines from small sample volumes.
Simultaneous Analysis of Complete Th17 Cytokine Expression
The eBioscience human and mouse Th17 Cytokine Flow Cytometry Staining Panels enable the simultaneous detection of the complete set of known Th17 effector cytokines, making this an ideal kit for the read-out of Th17 immune responses. Analysis of mouse and human Th17 cells reveal different patterns of cytokine expression between human and mouse. In particular, as can be seen in the data below, IL-22 expression is significantly lower in mouse Th17 cells that have been polarized using our methods.
Human Th17 Cytokine Analysis
Staining of Th17-polarized, PMA, Ionomycin and Brefeldin A-treated CD4-enriched human PBMCs with the Human Th17 Cytokine Flow Phenotyping Panel. Lymphocytes were gated for staining of CD4 eFluor® 450 and IL-17A FITC (blue) and then analyzed for staining of IL-17F PE, IL-21 Alexa Fluor® 647 and IL-22 PerCP-eFluor® 710. Quadrant lines were set based on staining of Th17-polarized cells treated with Brefeldin A but not PMA and Ionomycin.
Mouse Th17 Cytokine Analysis
Staining of Th17-polarized, PMA, Ionomycin and Brefeldin A-treated Balb/c splenocytes with the Mouse Th17 Cytokine Flow Phenotyping Panel. Lymphocytes were gated on CD4 eFluor® 450 and analyzed for staining of IL-17A FITC, IL-17F PE, IL-22 PerCP-eFluor® 710 and IL-21 Alexa Fluor® 647. Quadrant lines were set based on staining of Th17-polarized cells treated with Brefeldin A but not PMA and Ionomycin.
