Th22 cell

Eyerich S et al. 2009

Th22 cells are terminally differentiated, highly specialized effector T cells that primarily secrete the lead cytokine IL-22 as well as IL-13 and TNF-α in the absence of secretion of IL-4, IL-17 and IFN gamma.

This T-cell type was detected in the analysis of skin samples from patients with psoriasis vulgaris, atopic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis (Eyerich S et al. 2009; Eyerich K et al. 2015).

The expression of CCR4 and CCR10 skin homing receptors on TH22 cells suggests that TH22 cells are involved in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory skin diseases as well as inflammatory respiratory diseases.

They also play a role in wound healing. Th22 cells seem to play a role in the barrier function of skin (and lungs?) by stimulating fibroblasts to produce collagen.

The lead cytokine interleukin-22 (IL-22) of Th22 cells is a member of the interleukin-10 cytokine family, which was first described in 2000. The Interleukin-10 families comprise multifunctional cytokines with anti-inflammatory properties that consist in the "regulation" of antigen presentation and macrophage activation (Jia L et al. 2014). Besides interleukin-22, the Interleukin-10 family includes: Interleukin -10, Interleukin -19, Interleukin -20, Interleukin-24, Interleukin -26.

Furthermore, IL-22 has been shown to increase the TNF-α-dependent induction and secretion of several immunomodulatory molecules such as the initial complement factors C1r and C1s, the antimicrobial peptides S100A7 and HBD-2 (human β-defensin 2) and the antimicrobial chemokines CXCL-9 / -10 / -11. The function of Th22 cells is inhibited by Guselkumab (GUS), a fully humanized monoclonal IgG1λ antibody that is highly effective in psoriasis.

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