The Potential Role of T Helper Cell 22 and IL-22 in Immunopathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is a complex disease with many different immune cells involved in its pathogenesis. Newly identified T helper cell 22 (Th22) is a subset of CD4(+) T cells with specific properties apart from other known CD4(+) T cell subsets with distinguished function and gene expression. Th22 cells are characterized by production of a distinct profile of effector cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-22, IL-13, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α). The frequency of Th22 and related cytokine IL-22 are increased in various autoimmune diseases. Recently, several studies have reported the changes in frequency and function of Th22 in multiple sclerosis. This review discusses the role of Th22 and its cytokine IL-22 in the immunopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis disease.