Kurzfassung

Th17 cells comprise a subpopulation of CD4 T cells widely described to mediate inflammation in autoimmune diseases. Over the last few years, a range of studies evidenced external and intrinsic factors regulating the transcriptional profile of Th17 cells, thereby affecting their pathogenic potential and revealing their context-dependent plasticity. The adaptor protein STING has been reported as an important component of the intracellular machinery governing DNA sensing, being poorly explored...Th17 cells comprise a subpopulation of CD4 T cells widely described to mediate inflammation in autoimmune diseases. Over the last few years, a range of studies evidenced external and intrinsic factors regulating the transcriptional profile of Th17 cells, thereby affecting their pathogenic potential and revealing their context-dependent plasticity. The adaptor protein STING has been reported as an important component of the intracellular machinery governing DNA sensing, being poorly explored in T cells. In this sense, our data demonstrate that STING activation in Th17 cells, in vitro, promotes a reduced ability of these cells to produce IL-17A and increased expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, suggesting that STING reprogram Th17 cells towards a profile with reduced pathogenic potential. However, the mechanisms by which STING regulates the pathogenicity of these cells are still unknown. Therefore, the main aim of this project is to gain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the STING-driven regulatory network in Th17 cells.» weiterlesen» einklappen