Neutrophil extracellular traps and their histones promote Th17 cell differentiation directly via TLR2.

ABSTRACT: Neutrophils perform critical functions in the innate response to infection, including through the production of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) - web-like DNA structures which are extruded from neutrophils upon activation. Elevated levels of NETs have been linked to autoimmunity but this association is poorly understood. By contrast, IL-17 producing Th17 cells are a key player in various autoimmune diseases but are also crucial for immunity against fungal and bacterial infections. Here we show that NETs, through their protein component histones, directly activate T cells and specifically enhance Th17 cell differentiation. This modulatory role of neutrophils, NETs and their histones is mediated downstream of TLR2 in T cells, resulting in phosphorylation of STAT3. The innate stimulatio

SUBMITTER: Wilson AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8792063 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature