The role of Th17-associated cytokines in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU)

•Cytokines produced by Th17 cells does not directly correlate to Th17 pathogenesis.•Increased γδ T cell activation play an important role in Th17 pathogenesis.•Adenosine receptor activation plays an important role in Th17 pathogenesis.

The proinflammatory and pathogenic function of Th17 cells in autoimmune diseases have been established but the mechanism by which such cells cause disease remains to be determined. Inflammatory cytokines produced by Th17 cells may either promote or inhibit disease development. The major cytokines produced by the uveitogenic T cells, such as IL-17 and IL-22, are not always pathogenic, and the disease-inducing ability of pathogenic T cells is not immediately correlated to the amount of cytokine they produce. Future studies identifying factors causing increased Th17 responses and determining the types of cells that regulating Th17 autoreactive T cells should facilitate our effort of understanding Th17-mediated disease pathogenesis.