Are Th22 cells the reason why beta interferon may or may not work

Rolla S, Bardina V, De Mercanti S, Quaglino P, Palma RD, Gned D, Brusa D, Durelli L, Novelli F, Clerico M. Th22 cells are expanded in multiple sclerosis and are resistant to IFN-β J Leukoc Biol. 2014 Aug. pii: jlb.5A0813-463RR. [Epub ahead of print]

Th1 and Th17 cells have been considered as effectors in mouse EAE and in the human counterpart, MS.  
Recently, IL-22, a Th17-related, proinflammatory cytokine, has been associated with a new Th cell subset, defined as Th22, involved in chronic inflammatory conditions, such as psoriasis; the role of IL-22 in MS has not yet been elucidated. 

Here, we report that similar to Th17 cells, the number of Th22 cells increased in the PB and the CSF of RR MS patients, especially during the active phases of the disease. However, as opposed to Th17 cells, the expansion of Th22 cells occurred before the active phases of the disease. Th22 cells were found to be specific for the autoantigen MBP and also expressed high levels of CCR6 and T-bet, as for Th17 cells, indicating that Th22 self-reactive cells could have CNS-homing properties and be pathogenic in active RRMS patients. Conversely to Th17 cells, Th22 cells displayed lower levels of interferon alpha receptor 1 and were insensitive to IFN-β inhibition. These data suggest that expansion of Th22 cells in MS could be one of the factors that critically influence resistance to IFN-β therapy. 


T helper type 22 (Th22) cells are a subset of human CD4+ effector T cell that primarily secretes IL-22, IL-13, and TNF-alpha. Similar to Th17 cells, Th22 cells express IL-22, CCR4, and CCR6, but in contrast, they also express CCR10 and several fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). In addition, Th22 cells do not express IL-17, CCL20, IL-23 R, CD161 (Th17 markers), IL-4 (Th2 marker), or IFN-gamma (Th1 marker). Collectively, these characteristics distinguish Th22 cells as a novel T helper cell lineage that is distinct from the Th17, Th2, and Th1 subtypes. Activated naive CD4+ T cells differentiate into Th22 cells in the presence of IL-6 and TNF-alpha. This differentiation can be inhibited by the addition of increasing concentrations of TGF-beta. 

In this study there is a suggestion that the presence of Th22 may be a problem in MS. These may not express interferon receptors and so be insensitive to beta interferon. Is this one of the reasons why some MSers don't respond to beta interferon. Time will tell if this is repeated

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