Functional human Th17 clones with WT1-specific helper activity

Th17 plays important roles in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Although the importance of Th17 in tumor immunity has also been suggested, precise roles of tumor-associated antigen-specific Th17 still remain poorly understood, especially in humans. We previously identified WT1₃₃₂, a 16-mer helper epitope derived from tumor-associated antigen Wilms’ tumor gene 1 (WT1) product, and WT1₃₃₂-specific Th1 clones were established. In the present study, WT1-specific Th17 clones were established by the stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with the WT1₃₃₂ helper peptide under human Th17-polarizing conditions. The WT1-specific Th17 clone exhibited the helper function for proliferation of conventional CD4⁺ T cells in the antigenic stimulation-specific manner. This is the first report of establishment of functional Th17 clones with both antigen (WT1₃₃₂) specificity and antigen-specific helper activity. Th17 clones established here and the method to establish antigen-specific Th17 clones should be a useful tool to further analyze the roles of human Th17 in tumor immunity.