Identification of novel cell surface markers on mouse and human TH17 cells (P6354)

Abstract

Abstract TH17 cells are a subset of CD4+ T helper cells that protect against extracellular bacteria, but may also be involved in autoimmune disease progression. Consequently, basic and clinical research on TH17 cells has become a prominent and active area of research in immunology. The TH17 subset is defined by the ability to produce cytokines, such as IL-17 and IL-22, and also by the expression of cell surface markers, such as the IL-23 receptor. Much research effort in TH17 cell biology is the search for surface molecules that can be used to consistently characterize TH17 cells in different immune environments, and ultimately lead to potential therapies for autoimmunity. To date, only a few surface molecules have been found that are exclusively expressed by TH17 cells, making the use of surface markers for this cell type a challenge. Our objective was to identify new surface markers to distinguish TH17 cells from other subsets of helper CD4+ T cells. In order to accomplish this goal, we used a high-throughput flow cytometer to screen over 700 surface antibodies on mouse and human TH17 cells. We identified 26 novel surface markers in human TH17 cells that also coexpress IL-22, IL-17, and RORgT, confirming these markers were on functional TH17 cells. Interestingly, 4 of these markers (BTLA, CD200, CD99, and IL-18Ra) were also identified in mouse TH17 cells. Further study of these markers will enable the development of therapies for autoimmunity and cancer research.