Th1、Th2和Th17型细胞在类风湿性关节炎和系统性红斑狼疮中的活化特点

探讨Th1、Th2和Th17型细胞在类风湿性关节炎(RA)和系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)发病机制中的作用。收集37例RA患者、25例SLE患者和34例健康人的抗凝血,应用ELISA检测血清中IFN-γ、IL-10和IL-17的水平。与健康对照组比较,RA和SLE患者血清中IFN-γ的水平均具有统计学意义(P<0.05);SLE患者IL-10水平出现有意义的升高(P<0.05);而RA患者IL-17的升高具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。由此提示Th1、Th2和Th17细胞在自身免疫性疾病中均发挥不同的重要作用。     

Regulation of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg by pDC/mDC imbalance in primary immune thrombocytopenia

This study investigates the regulatory effect of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC)/myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) imbalance on balance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg in primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). A total of 30 untreated ITP patients and 20 healthy controls were recruited. Compared with healthy control, the pDC proportion of ITP patients was significantly reduced (P = 0.004), while the mDC proportion was not significantly changed (P = 0.681), resulting in a decrease in the pDC/mDC ratio (P = 0.001). Additionally, compared with controls, serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, and IL-23 were increased in ITP patients (P < 0.001), and mRNA levels of IL-12p40, IL-12p35, and IL-23p19 were also increased (P =0.014, P = 0.043, P < 0.001). Compared with the healthy control, the proportion of Th1 and Th17 cells in ITP patients increased (P = 0.001, P = 0.031). Serum levels of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and IL-17 in ITP patients also increased (P = 0.025, P = 0.005). Furthermore, T-bet and RORγt mRNA levels were increased in peripheral blood of ITP patients (P = 0.018, P < 0.001). Correspondingly, the proportion of Th2 and Treg cells decreased (P = 0.007, P < 0.001), along with a decrease in serum IL-4 and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) (P = 0.028, P = 0.042), and an increase in GATA-3 mRNA (P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in Foxp3 mRNA levels (P = 0.587). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the proportion of total dendritic cells (DCs) was positively correlated with IL-12 (r = 0.526, P = 0.003) and IL-23 (r = 0.501, P = 0.005) in ITP patients. Th1/Th2 ratio, IFN-γ, and IL-12 levels were negatively correlated with platelet counts (r = −0.494, P = 0.009; r = –0.415, P = 0.028; r = –0.492, P = 0.032). However, IL-23 was positively correlated with IL-17 (r = 0.489, P = 0.006) and negatively correlated with platelet count (r = –0.564, P = 0.001). The ratio of IL-6 and Th17 cells was negatively correlated with platelet count (r = –0.443, P = 0.014; r = –0.471, P = 0.011). The imbalance of pDC/mDC and the increase of IL-6, IL-12, and IL-23 lead to the increased differentiation of CD4+ T cells into Th1 and Th17 cells, which might be the important mechanisms underlying the imbalance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg in ITP patients.     

Murine NKT cells produce Th17 cytokine interleukin-22

Natural killer T (NKT) cells are known to produce Th17 cytokine IL-17 in addition to Th1/2 cytokines. In this study, the ability of NKT cells to produce IL-22, another Th17 cytokine, was examined in mice. When murine spleen cells were stimulated with α-galactosyl ceramide, a ligand for NKT cells, not only Th1/2 cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-4) but Th17 cytokines (IL-17, IL-22) were produced. NKT cells isolated from splenocytes released IL-17 and IL-22 following CD3, CD3/IL-2 or CD3/CD28 stimulation, in which CD3/CD28 costimulation was most effective. Production of IL-17 and IL-22 in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from splenocytes was little, if any, even after CD3/CD28 costimulation. Treatment with IL-6/TGF-β decreased CD3/CD28-stimulated production of IL-22, but not that of IL-17, in NKT cells. These findings show for the first time that NKT cells are a cell source of IL-22, and that expression of two Th17 cytokines might be regulated in NKT cells by different mechanisms.     

Th22细胞与支气管哮喘

支气管哮喘是一种临床上常见的呼吸道疾病,研究发现CD4＋T细胞在哮喘的发病过程中起重要作用。Th22细胞是最近发现的一类CD4＋T细胞功能亚群之一,其主要效应因子IL-22在炎症性疾病、组织修复、创口愈合及自身免疫性疾病中起重要作用,但其具体机制尚未完全清楚。从Th22的细胞因子来源、生物学特性、分化和调控出发,简要探讨Th22细胞与哮喘之间的可能关系。     

Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg cytokine imbalance in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients: Correlation with disease activity

AimImbalance of T-helper-cell (TH) subsets (TH1/TH2/TH17) and regulatory T-cells (Tregs) is suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Therefore, we evaluated their cytokine secretion profile in SLE patients and their possible association with disease activity.MethodsSixty SLE patients, 24 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 24 healthy volunteers were included in this study. Demographic, clinical, disease activity and serological data were prospectively assessed. Plasma cytokines levels of TH1 (IL-12, IFN-γ), TH2 (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10), TH17 (IL-17, IL-23) and Treg (IL-10 and TGF-β) were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).ResultsSLE patients were found to have significantly higher levels of IL-17 (p < 0.001), IL-6 (p < 0.01), IL-12 (p < 0.001) and IL-10 (p < 0.05) but comparable levels of IL-23 and IL-4 and slight reduction (but statistically insignificant) of TGF-β levels compared to controls. IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17 were significantly increased (p < 0.05) with disease activity. The RA group exhibited significantly higher levels of plasma IL-4 (p < 0.01), IL-6 (p < 0.05), IL-17 (p < 0.001), IL-23 (p < 0.01) and TGF-β (p < 0.5) and lower IFN-γ (p < 0.001) and IL-10 (p < 0.01) than those of healthy subjects.ConclusionOur study showed a distinct profile of cytokine imbalance in SLE patients. Reduction in IFN-γ (TH1) and TGF-β1 (Treg) with the elevation in IL-6 and IL-17 (TH17) could imply skewing of T-cells toward TH17 cells. Breaking TH17/Treg balance in peripheral blood may play an important role in the development of SLE and could be responsible for an increased pro-inflammatory response especially in the active form of the disease.     

Th17/Treg 细胞在银屑病的发病机制研究进展

Th17细胞和Treg细胞是CD4+T细胞在不同细胞因子环境中分化出的新亚群,发挥不同的生物学效应,使机体的免疫系统处于平衡状态.Th17/Treg细胞失衡可引起一系列自身免疫性疾病.银屑病是与遗传、免疫异常有关的皮肤炎症性疾病,其发病机制尚不清楚.越来越多的研究发现,Th17细胞增多和Treg细胞减少及其分泌的细胞因子在银屑病的发病中有着重要作用.本文围绕这一机制综述了近年来有关Th17细胞、Treg细胞在银屑病发病机制中作用的研究,帮助我们更深入地了解银屑病的发病机制并为今后临床诊断和治疗提供依据.     

Effect of T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2 cytokine on chemokine-induced dendritic cell functions

Effects of T helper 2 (Th2) and Th1 cytokines, interleukin (IL)-4, and interferon (IFN)-gamma, respectively, on chemokine-induced DC migration and endocytosis are not well understood. We investigated herein the effects of these cytokines on chemokine-induced functions of murine myeloid DCs. As expected, immature DCs markedly migrated to CCL3 but not CCL19, while mature DCs showed vigorous migration in response to CCL19 but not CCL3. Both IL-4 and IFN-gamma significantly decreased CCL3-induced migration of immature DCs. In contrast, these cytokines exerted no significant effects on CCL19-induced migration of mature DCs. Of note, both IL-4 and IFN-gamma markedly enhanced CCL3-induced endocytosis of immature DCs. The messenger RNA level of CCR5, a CCL3 receptor, in immature DCs was slightly increased by IL-4 or IFN-gamma treatment. These results demonstrate that these Th1/Th2 cytokines can act to either inhibit or enhance chemokine-mediated DC functions, and may play a role in increasing antigen uptake by immature DCs at inflammatory sites.     

异源反应性NK细胞对骨髓移植小鼠脾脏Th1/Th2细胞亚群的影响

目的:观察异源反应性自然杀伤细胞(NK细胞)对骨髓移植小鼠脾脏辅助性T细胞Th1/Th2亚群的影响。方法:以BALB/c和CB6F1小鼠为受体,在γ射线照射后通过尾静脉输入C57BL/6J小鼠的骨髓细胞和脾脏单个核细胞,建立移植物抗宿主病模型;然后输入供体的NK细胞,检测受体小鼠脾脏中Th1/Th2淋巴细胞亚群和外周血中γ干扰素(IFN-γ)、白细胞介素10(IL-10)的变化。结果:与单纯输入骨髓细胞和单个核细胞组小鼠相比,输入异源反应性NK细胞后,BALB/c和CB6F1小鼠脾脏中Th1细胞比例均下降,Th2细胞比例均上升,CB6F1小鼠脾脏中Th2虽有升高但没有统计学意义;外周血中IL-10水平显著升高,IFN-γ的水平显著下降。结论:异源反应性NK细胞可能通过降低脾脏中Th1细胞亚群比例和升高Th2细胞亚群比例减轻移植物抗宿主病。     

TLR2 agonist ameliorates murine experimental allergic conjunctivitis by inducing CD4 positive T-cell apoptosis rather than by affecting the Th1/Th2 balance

Innate immune responses that operate through Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are actively involved in the development of diseases predominantly mediated by adaptive immune responses. This is true also for allergic disease, as TLRs have been found to be involved in the development of allergic airway inflammation. We investigated whether stimulating TLR2 also abrogates murine allergic conjunctivitis by upregulating Th1 responses. We found that treating mice during the efferent phase with the TLR2 agonist Pam3CSK4 significantly suppressed eosinophil infiltration into the conjunctiva. However, Pam3CSK4 treatment inhibited both the Th1 and Th2 responses in the mice, and also suppressed eosinophil infiltration in IFN-gamma knockout mice. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that Pam3CSK4 treatment significantly elevated the numbers of annexin V-positive splenocytes, especially CD4 positive T cells. Thus, the stimulation of TLR2 during the efferent phase of murine allergic conjunctivitis suppresses eosinophil infiltration by inducing CD4 positive T-cell apoptosis rather than upregulating Th1 responses.     

Modeling anti-tumor Th1 and Th2 immunity in the rejection of melanoma

Recent experiments indicate that CD4⁺ Th2 cells can reject skin tumors in mice, while CD4⁺ Th1 cells cannot ( [Mattes et al., 2003] and [Zhang et al., 2009]). These results are surprising because CD4⁺ Th1 cells are typically considered to be capable of tumor rejection. We used mathematical models to investigate this unexpected outcome. We found that neither CD4⁺ Th1 nor CD4⁺ Th2 cells could eliminate the cancer cells when acting alone, but that tumor elimination could be induced by recruitment of eosinophils by the Th2 cells. These recruited eosinophils had unexpected indirect effects on the decay rate of type 2 cytokines and the rate at which Th2 cells are inactivated through interactions with cancer cells. Strikingly, the presence of eosinophils impacted tumor growth more significantly than the release of tumor-suppressing cytokines such as IFN-γ and TNF-α. Our simulations suggest that novel strategies to enhance eosinophil recruitment into skin tumors may improve cancer immunotherapies.     

隐球菌性脑膜炎患者外周血中Th9和Th17细胞水平变化及意义

目的：比较初发隐球菌性脑膜炎患者治疗前后与健康对照人群外周血 CD4＋ T 细胞中 Th9和 Th17细胞的比值,探讨 Th9和 Th17细胞在隐球菌性脑膜炎发病机制中的作用。方法选取初发未经治疗隐球菌性脑膜炎患者及健康对照各12例,抽取隐球菌性脑膜炎患者治疗前和治疗后3周及健康对照的外周血,分离外周血单核细胞,应用流式细胞仪检测技术对3组病例外周血 CD4＋ T 细胞中 Th9和 Th17的比值进行比较。结果与健康对照相比,隐球菌性脑膜炎患者治疗前Th17表达下调,差异有统计学意义;在治疗好转患者中,治疗后 Th17表达显著上调,与治疗前及健康对照相比差异均有统计学意义。Th9在治疗前与健康对照相比无差异,在治疗后隐球菌性脑膜炎患者中表达上调。结论 Th17免疫途径是隐球菌性脑膜炎患者抵御隐球菌感染的重要免疫机制,隐球菌性脑膜炎发病及治疗拮抗可能与 Th17缺乏有关。     

自身免疫性肝病患者外周血Th1/Th2细胞的表达及其与肝功能的相关性研究

目的:探讨自身免疫性肝病(AILD)患者外周血中辅助T细胞1(Th1)和辅助T细胞2(Th2)的表达情况及其与肝功能的相关性。方法:选择42例AILD患者为实验组,11例健康体检者作为对照组,采用流式细胞术检测实验组和对照组外周血单个核细胞中Th1和Th2细胞在淋巴细胞亚群中所占百分率,并检测患者肝功能,分析Th1、Th2细胞水平与肝功能血清生化指标的相关性。结果:AILD组患者Th1细胞和Th2细胞百分率均高于健康对照组(P0.05);AILD活动期患者Th1和Th2细胞百分率明显高于健康对照组,AILD缓解期患者外周血淋巴细胞亚群中Th1细胞所占比例明显降低,Th2细胞百分率较健康人群高,Th1/Th2比值明显降低。AILD患者Th1细胞百分率与血清中TBIL、DBIL、GGT水平呈正相关关系(r分别为0.428、0.472、0.511,P值分别为0.010、0.004、0.002)。Th1/Th2比值与血清中TBIL、DBIL水平呈正相关关系(r分别为0.424、0.405,P值分别为0.011、0.016)。结论:AILD患者Th1细胞和Th2细胞百分率异常升高,且Th1细胞百分率及Th1/Th2比率与AILD患者肝功能指标具有良好的相关性。     

Atorvastatin ameliorates experimental autoimmune neuritis by decreased Th1/Th17 cytokines and up-regulated T regulatory cells

Statins have anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating properties. To investigate the effects of atorvastatin on experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN), an animal model of Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS), atorvastatin was administered to Lewis rats immunized with bovine peripheral myelin in complete Freund’s adjuvant. We found that atorvastatin ameliorated the clinical symptoms of EAN, decreased the numbers of inflammatory cells as well as IFN-γ⁺ and IL-17⁺ cells in sciatic nerves, decreased the CD80 expression and increased the number of CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ cells in mononuclear cells (MNC), and decreased the levels of IFN-γ in MNC culture supernatants. These data provide strong evidence that atorvastatin can act as an inhibitor in EAN by inhibiting the immune response of Th1 and Th17, decreasing the expression of co-stimulatory molecule, and up-regulating the number of T regulatory cells. These data demonstrated that statins could be used as a therapeutic strategy in human GBS in future.     

慢性移植性肾病大鼠脾脏中辅助性T细胞和B 细胞免疫状态的研究*

目的:检测慢性移植性肾病(CAN)大鼠脾脏中辅助性T细胞(Th)和B细胞特征性因子表达量的变化,探究这些Th/B细胞免疫状态在CAN病程中的作用。方法:采用Fischer-Lewis左肾原位移植法建立大鼠慢性移植性肾病模型,Lewis-Lewis同种自体移植作为对照组。所有受体大鼠,术后8周处死,取脾脏组织,进行HE染色,拍照后采用双盲法评价脾脏组织病理变化程度及淋巴细胞浸润情况。用Trizol法提取脾脏组织中总RNA,采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(q RT-PCR)法检测各组脾脏中Th1,Th2,Th17,Treg和B细胞标志性因子的表达情况。结果:与对照组相比,CAN大鼠脾脏出现明显的结构肿胀及淋巴细胞浸润增多,并且Th1细胞特征性因子IFN-γ和T-bet表达量显著增加(P0.001,P0.05);Th2细胞特征性因子GATA-3表达升高(P0.001),但IL-4无变化;IFN-γ/IL-4比例明显上调(P0.001),T-bet/GATA3比例没有显著差异。Th17的特征性因子IL-17未见明显改变,而Treg细胞特征性因子Foxp3表达增加(P0.001),IL-17/Foxp3平衡明显向Treg细胞偏移(P0.05)。B细胞激活相关因子TNFRSF13C和RAG1表达量均显著上调(P0.01,P0.05),而RAG2水平则没有变化。结论:CAN大鼠脾脏中Th1/Th2的活性平衡向Th1偏移,分化平衡未出现显著变化;Th17/Treg的平衡向Treg细胞偏移,B细胞免疫状态也被激活,这些变化在CAN病程的发展中起到了重要作用,并且为临床监测和治疗提供了新的依据。     

分泌性中耳炎患者外周血Th1Th2细胞及T淋巴细胞亚群水平的表达及临床意义

目的:探讨分泌性中耳炎(SOM)患者外周血T辅助细胞1(Th1)、T辅助细胞2(Th2)细胞因子及T淋巴细胞亚群水平的表达及其临床意义。方法:选取我院于2015年1月至2018年1月期间收治的SOM患者135例记为SOM组,根据病程将患者分为急性组(病程14d,49例)、亚急性组(病程14-30d,53例)、慢性组(病程30d,33例)。另外选择同期于我院进行体检的100例健康者为对照组。分别对比SOM组和对照组受试者、不同病程SOM患者外周血Th1细胞因子[干扰素(INF-γ)、白细胞介素-2(IL-2)]、Th2细胞因子[白细胞介素-4(IL-4)、白细胞介素-10(IL-10)]以及T淋巴细胞亚群[CD3~+、CD4~+、CD8~+、CD4~+/CD8~+]水平。采用Pearson相关性分析INF-γ、IL-2、IL-4、IL-10与CD3~+、CD4~+、CD8~+、CD4~+/CD8~+的相关性。结果:SOM组患者外周血INF-γ、IL-2、IL-4、IL-10水平高于对照组(P0.05);急性组患者外周血INF-γ、IL-2、IL-4、IL-10水平低于亚急性组、慢性组,亚急性组患者外周血INF-γ、IL-2、IL-4、IL-10水平低于慢性组(P0.05)。SOM组患者外周血CD3~+、CD4~+、CD4~+/CD8~+水平低于对照组,CD8~+水平高于对照组(P0.05);急性组患者外周血CD3~+、CD4~+、CD4~+/CD8~+水平高于亚急性组、慢性组,CD8~+水平低于亚急性组、慢性组,亚急性组患者外周血CD3~+、CD4~+、CD4~+/CD8~+水平高于慢性组,CD8~+水平低于慢性组(P0.05)。Pearson相关性分析结果显示,SOM患者外周血INF-γ、IL-4与CD8~+呈正相关(P0.05),IL-4与CD3~+、CD4~+呈负相关(P0.05)。结论:SOM患者外周血Th1Th2细胞因子、T淋巴细胞亚群水平均表现异常,且其水平与疾病发生和发展存在一定联系,通过监测Th1Th2细胞因子、T淋巴细胞亚群有助于评估SOM患者病情。     

Mycobacterium tuberculosis TlyA Protein Negatively Regulates T Helper (Th) 1 and Th17 Differentiation and Promotes Tuberculosis Pathogenesis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, is an ancient pathogen and a major cause of death worldwide. Although various virulence factors of M. tuberculosis have been identified, its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. TlyA is a virulence factor in several bacterial infections and is evolutionarily conserved in many Gram-positive bacteria, but its function in M. tuberculosis pathogenesis has not been elucidated. Here, we report that TlyA significantly contributes to the pathogenesis of M. tuberculosis. We show that a TlyA mutant M. tuberculosis strain induces increased IL-12 and reduced IL-1β and IL-10 cytokine responses, which sharply contrasts with the immune responses induced by wild type M. tuberculosis. Furthermore, compared with wild type M. tuberculosis, TlyA-deficient M. tuberculosis bacteria are more susceptible to autophagy in macrophages. Consequently, animals infected with the TlyA mutant M. tuberculosis organisms exhibited increased host-protective immune responses, reduced bacillary load, and increased survival compared with animals infected with wild type M. tuberculosis. Thus, M. tuberculosis employs TlyA as a host evasion factor, thereby contributing to its virulence.     

Leishmania donovani Infection of a Susceptible Host Results in Apoptosis of Th1-Like Cells: Rescue of Anti-Leishmanial CMI by Providing Th1-Specific Bystander Costimulation

A protective immune response against Leishmania donovani infection is mediated by T-helper type 1 (Th1) cells. Th1 induced cell-mediated immunity (CMI), as assessed by anti-leishmanial DTH response, is lost in a susceptible host such as BALB/c mice. Although the impaired Th1 function eventuates in unhindered parasite growth and in manifestation of the susceptible phenotype, the mechanism of down-regulation of the Th1 function is yet to be elucidated. Here, we provide evidence that the parasite downregulates the expression of a Th1-specific costimulatory molecule, M150, on the surface of infected BALB/c mice-derived macrophages. Th cells are rendered unresponsive to anti-CD3 Ab-mediated stimulation after interaction with infected macrophages. The anergized T cells produce much less IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-γ compared to those T cells which were costimulated using normal macrophages. The defect in proliferation, anti-CD3 Ab induced unresponsiveness and IFN-γ but not IL-4 production can be restored by providing bystander costimulation through M150. These results not only unfold a novel immune evasion strategy used by the parasite but also clarify the mechanism of Th1 cell debilitation during the disease. Recovery of Th1 cytokine production by bystander costimulation through M150 may help in formulating a new strategy for the elimination of intracellular parasites.     

Th17细胞分化、调节及效应研究进展

Th17细胞作为一个不同于Th1、Th2的细胞亚群,已经被证实在自身免疫病、感染等疾病中发挥重要的作用.为了进一步认识Th17细胞的效应机制,近来对于Th17细胞的分化及调节进行了深入的研究,证实TGF-β与IL-6或者IL-21的协同作用是诱导Th17细胞分化的关键因素,而IL-23在促进IL-17分泌,增强Th17细胞效应功能方面发挥重要作用.与Th1、Th2、Treg细胞特异性的转录调节因子T-bet、GATA3、Foxp3相对应,现证实ROR-γt(retinoid-related orphanreceptors-γr)是促进Th17细胞分化、调节其功能的特异性转录调节因子.Th17细胞通过分泌IL-17A、IL-17F、IL-21、IL-22、IL-6、TNF-α等细胞因子发挥效应功能.其中IL-21作为Th17细胞的一个自分泌调节凶子,在诱导Th17分化、抑制Th1、Treg功能方面发挥关键作用.而另一方面,近来发现,重要的T细胞生长因子IL-2在维持、促进Th1、Th2、Treg及CD8 T细胞功能活性的同时,却发挥着抑制Th17细胞分化的作用.Th1、Treg、Th17细胞的分化之间存在微妙的调节关系,TGF-β的水平、作用的时间决定着上述三群T细胞的分化结局.Th17细胞与Th1细胞均是自身免疫病及感染性疾病的重要效应细胞,二者的作用是否有时间、空间、功能方面的特异性?TGF-β如何调节两群效应细胞的分化方向及功能?以及Th17细胞在体内免疫平衡中的作用,是否可以通过Th17细胞诱导免疫耐受等,是人们急于回答的非常有意义的课题.     

Th17 immune response to adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells

Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) hold the promise of achieving successful immunotherapeutic results due to their ability to regulate different T-cell fate. ASCs also show significant adaptability to environmental stresses by modulating their immunologic profile. Cell-based therapy for inflammatory diseases requires a detailed understanding of the molecular relation between ASCs and Th17 lymphocytes taking into account the influence of inflammation and cell ratio on such interaction. Accordingly, a dose-dependent increase in Th17 generation was only observed in high MSC:T-cell ratio with no significant impact of inflammatory priming. IL-23 receptor (IL-23R) expression by T cells was not modulated by ASCs when compared to levels in activated T cells, while ROR-γt expression was significantly increased reaching a maximum in high (1:5) unprimed ASC:T-cell ratio. Finally, multiplex immunoassay showed substantial changes in the secretory profile of 15 cytokines involved in the Th17 immune response (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, IL-21, IL-23, IL-25, IL-31, IL-33, IFN-γ, sCD40, and TNF-α), which was modulated by both cell ratio and inflammatory priming. These findings suggest that Th17 lymphocyte pathway is significantly modulated by ASCs that may lead to immunological changes. Therefore, future ASC-based immunotherapy should take into account the complex and detailed molecular interactions that depend on several factors including inflammatory priming and cell ratio.