中文摘要：

Th17是最近发现的CD4^＋效应T细胞的新亚群。初始T细胞在TGF-β和IL-6的共同作用下分化发育成为Th17细胞。在其分化发育过程中，RORγt是Th17细胞的特异性转录因子。分化成熟的Th17可以分泌IL-17，IL-21，IL-22等多种细胞因子，其中IL-17在多种自身免疫疾病和炎性疾病中起关键作用。使用抗IL-17的抗体或抑制Th17细胞的分化，可以有效减轻疾病的症状。Th17细胞的发现为自身免疫性疾病和与其相关的炎性疾病的发病机制及防治对策开辟了新的研究思路和方向。

英文摘要：

Objective Th17 is a newly founded subset of CD4^＋ T effect ceils which naive CD4^＋ T ceils are activated under the stimulation with both TGF-γ and IL-6. RORTt is its specific transcription factor. Th17 is characterized by the secretion of IL-17, IL-21 and IL-22 etc. Among them, IL-17 is mainly involved in many kinds of auto- immune and inflammatory diseases. Blocking the function of IL-17 would significantly inhibit the development of autoimmune disease. In this review, we will introduce the role of Th17 in autoimmune diseases.