New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

Teasing Apart T Helper Cells

Date:
July 27, 2009
Source:
Rockefeller University Press
Summary:
The cytokine IL-9 promotes a multiple sclerosis-like disease in mice, according to a new study.
Share:
FULL STORY

The cytokine IL-9 promotes a multiple sclerosis-like disease in mice, according to a new study by Nowak et al. published online on July 13th in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. In a related Commentary, Richard Locksley discusses the molecular and genetic regulation of cytokine production by CD4+ T helper (Th) cells and the plasticity among different Th subsets.

Since the late 1980s, when the concept of Th1 and -2 were first introduced, several new subsets have arisen, including Th17 cells and regulatory T (T reg) cells. Recent attention has focused on a putative new Th cell subset with the propensity to secrete IL-9. But whether these "Th9" cells are truly a unique subset or whether many Th cell subsets can produce IL-9 under the right circumstances has been a matter of debate.

Nowak and colleagues now show that a Th17-driven CNS disease was blunted in mice lacking IL-9. In vitro studies showed that IL-9 was produced primarily by Th17 and T reg cells—subsets that depend on TGF-beta for their differentiation. Thus IL-9 production may go hand-in-hand with the presence of TGF-beta rather than with a defined Th cell subset.

References:

Locksley, R.M., et al. 2009. J. Exp. Med. doi:10.1084/jem.20091442

Nowak, E.C., et al. 2009. J. Exp. Med. doi:10.1084/jem.20090246


Story Source:

Materials provided by Rockefeller University Press. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Cite This Page:

Rockefeller University Press. "Teasing Apart T Helper Cells." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 27 July 2009. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090727091836.htm>.
Rockefeller University Press. (2009, July 27). Teasing Apart T Helper Cells. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 29, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090727091836.htm
Rockefeller University Press. "Teasing Apart T Helper Cells." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090727091836.htm (accessed March 29, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES