IMMUNOLOGY : How inflammatory lymphocytes develop

Researchers describe the development of a unique type of white blood cell and how this development is different in humans and mice. These cells are required for healthy gut biology but also, in other areas of the body such as the brain, are associated with dangerous inflammation.
Two groups, one led by Rene Waal de Malefyt and the other by Federica Sallusto, evaluated how human T cells develop into TH-17 cells, which make several inflammatory immune proteins associated with inflammation and with fighting certain microbial infections. Both groups found that the requirements for TH-17 cell development in humans and mice are different, a surprising finding that has great significance because mice are commonly used to study human disease. A third study led by Michael Lohoff evaluated TH-17 cells in mice only, and found that a specific cellular protein called interferon regulatory factor 4 is absolutely required for their development.
These three studies provide considerable insight into how TH-17 inflammatory cells are produced in both mice and humans. Understanding the unique developmental requirements for these inflammatory T cells may help to explain the cause of inflammatory diseases of the brain and gut in humans.
Author contacts:

Rene Waal de Malefyt (Schering-Plough Biopharma, Palo Alto, CA, USA)
Tel: +1 650 496 1164; E-mail: rene.de.waal.malefyt@spcorp.com Author paper [5]


Federica Sallusto (Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Bellinzona, Switzerland)
Tel: +41 91 820 0315; E-mail: federica.sallusto@irb.unisi.ch Author paper [6]

Michael Lohoff (Marburg University, Germany) Author paper [7]
Tel: +49 6421 286 6455; E-mail: lohoff@med.uni-marburg.de