Interleukin (IL) 17 is a phylogenetically ancient cytokine that has been adopted by the adaptive immune system, and the investigation of adaptive T helper (Th) 17 cells has substantially contributed to our understanding of the molecular requirements for the induction, regulation, and function of IL-17. However, IL-17 is in fact produced by a large variety of innate immune cells and exerts its most significant biological functions at the interface of the organism with its environment, such as, for example, at epithelial surfaces, where γδ T cells are a prominent source of IL-17. In this review, we will give an overview on the concepts of commitment of γδ T cells to effector phenotypes, focusing on IL-17-producing γδ T cells (γδT17 cells). The role of γδT17 cells in animal models of autoimmunity will be discussed as well as the prerequisites for the development of human γδT17 cells and their potential importance for human disease conditions.
© 2012 New York Academy of Sciences.