ABSTRACT
While there are conflicting data concerning interleukin (IL)-17 levels in the serum of patients with leprosy compared with those in healthy controls, higher levels have been more evident in the tuberculoid clinical form of leprosy and type 1 reactions. This review aimed to highlight the role of Th17 cells and their cytokines in leprosy. Cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-23 induce Th17, while transforming growth factor beta and IL-10 inhibit Th17, indicating that the balance between Th17 and regulatory T cells is crucial for leprosy polarization. However, more comprehensive paired studies are required to better elucidate the role of Th17 cells in leprosy.
Keywords:
Immune response; Interleukin-17; Leprosy; Leprosy reaction
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Abbreviations: BB: borderline-borderline; BL: borderline leprosy; BT: borderline-tuberculoid; IFN-γ: interferon gamma; IL: interleukin; LL: lepromatous leprosy; TGF-β: transforming growth factor beta; Th1: type 1 helper T cells; Th2: type 2 helper T cells; Th17: type 17 helper T cells; Treg: T regulatory (cells); TT: tuberculoid-tuberculoid.