Transforming Growth Factor-β: An Indirect Inducer of Th17 Cell Differentiation both in Human and Murine System

Since their first description only some years ago Th17 cells have become of vital importance in immunological research. However, the role of TGF-β in Th17 cell development is still a matter of controversial discussion. Predicted to have a key function in Th17 cell differentiation in the mouse TGF-β was shown to inhibit IL-17 production of human CD⁴⁺ T cells. Moreover, recent data indicate TGF-β signaling in T cells to be dispensable for Th17 cell differentiation in the murine system. Hence, rather being a specie-specific factor TGF-β is likely to act as an indirect inducer of Th17 cell differentiation both in mice and men.