Th9 Cells: Probable players in ulcerative colitis pathogenesis.

Th9 Cells: Probable players in ulcerative colitis pathogenesis. Int Rev Immunol. 2018 Apr 19;:1-14 Authors: Shohan M, Elahi S, Shirzad H, Rafieian-Kopaei M, Bagheri N, Soltani E Abstract T lymphocytes represent an important part of adaptive immune system undertaking different functions to regulate immune responses. CD4+ T cells are the most important activator cells in inflammatory conditions. Depending on the type of induced cells and inflamed sites, expression and activity of different subtypes of helper T cells are changed. Recent studies have confirmed the existence of a new subset of helper T lymphocytes called Th9. Naive T cells can differentiate into Th9 subtypes if they are exposed simultaneously by interleukin (IL) 4 and transforming growth factor β and also secondary activation of a complicated network of transcription factors such as interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) and Smads which are essential for adequate induction of this phenotype. Th9 cells specifically produce interleukin 9 and their probable roles in promoting intestinal inflammation are being investigated in human subjects and experimental models of ulcerative colitis (UC). Recently, infiltration of Th9 cells, overexpression of IL-9, and certain genes associated with Th9 differentiation have been demonstrated in inflammatory microenvironment of UC. Intestinal oversecretion of IL-9 protein is likely to break down epithelial barriers and compromise tolerance t...
Source: International Reviews of Immunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Tags: Int Rev Immunol Source Type: research