Korn T, Hiltensperger M. Role of IL-6 in the commitment of T cell subsets.
Cytokine 2021;
146:155654. [PMID:
34325116 PMCID:
PMC8375581 DOI:
10.1016/j.cyto.2021.155654]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
IL-6 is a non-redundant differentiation factor for Th17 cells and Tfh cells.
The induction of ROR-γt+ Treg cells in the lamina propria depends on IL-6.
Generation of distinct T helper cell subsets might depend on different IL-6 signaling modalities.
IL-6-directed therapies must consider the disease-relevant IL-6 signaling modality.
IL-6 gained much attention with the discovery that this cytokine is a non-redundant differentiation factor for Th17 cells and T follicular helper cells. Adaptive immune responses to fungi and extracellular bacteria are impaired in the absence of IL-6. IL-6 is also required for the induction of ROR-γt+ Treg cells, which are gatekeepers of homeostasis in the gut lamina propria in the presence of commensal bacteria. Conversely, severe immunopathology in T cell-mediated autoimmunity is mediated by Th17 cells that rely on IL-6 for their generation and maintenance. Recently, it has been discovered that the differentiation of these distinct T helper cell subsets may be linked to distinct signaling modalities of IL-6. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on the mode of action of IL-6 in the differentiation and maintenance of T cell subsets and propose that a context-dependent understanding of the impact of IL-6 on T cell subsets might inform rational IL-6-directed interventions in autoimmunity and chronic inflammation.
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