Eurofins Discovery offers innovative assays focused on finding therapeutics for autoimmune disease. These diseases are caused by dysregulated function of the immune system due to chronic inflammation, and may be associate with genetic, infectious, or environmental factors. In both non-disease and disease states of the immune system, helper T cells play a crucial role in elimination of foreign microorganisms and maintenance of immunological homeostasis. IL-17, a key cytokine produced by helper Th17 cells, provides immunity against both intracellular and extracellular pathogens.
Cell Targets of IL-17
Figure. IL-17 affects innate immune cells such as neutrophils, macrophages, as well as primary cells, such as endothelial cells, fibroblasts, osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and keratinocytes. When IL-17 binds to its receptor on these cells, it induces the production of various cytokines and chemokines, which act as chemoattractants for immune cells, recruiting them to the site of infection or inflammation.
IL-17 is produced by γδ T (gamma-deltaT) cells, natural killer T cells, and innate lymphoid cells, and plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune inflammatory diseases. Disproportionate release of IL-17, accompanied by excessive generation of Th17 cells, affects the balance of self-reactive T-cells and regulatory T cells, leading to autoimmune diseases. Release of related cytokines, together with IL-17, lead to the worsening condition of rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions, and plays a major role in multiple sclerosis and psoriasis. Therapeutics targeting the IL-17 pathway are approved and are especially effective in psoriasis. IL-17 has six homologs, IL-17A through IL-17F, with some shared receptors and similar or overlapping functions.
Our focused autoimmune panel measures the response of test agents to extracellular release of three critical cytokines involved in activation and proliferation of TH-17 cells: IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-21.
