Influence of a mutation in IFN-γ receptor 2 (IFNGR2) in human cells on the generation of Th17 cells in memory T cells

The T cell subsets involved in inflammatory reactions are mainly the IFN-γ secreting Th1 cells and IL17-producing Th17 cells. Although Th17 cells are primed in the thymus, there is evidence that Th17 cells can be generated from effector memory CD4+ T cells. Cytokines as IL-6, TGF-β, IL-21 and IL-23 involved in development of Th17 cells are well described. Here we analyzed the impact of a mutation in the IFN-γ receptor 2 (IFN-γR2) on the induction of Th17 cells. By isolation of T cells and monocytes of a patient with this mutation we could demonstrate an inhibitory role of IFN-γ signaling as IFN-γR2-deficient monocytes induce a higher percentage of IL-17+ cells from both healthy and IFN-γR2-deficient CD4+ T cells. This data confirm the interference of these two T helper subsets and points to a balance of Th1 and Th17 cells obtained by their own cytokine production and their interplay with APCs.