Citation

With the most recent data suggesting T cells as primary producers of the pro-inflammatory autoimmune-associated cytokine, the relationship between T cells and Th17 in experimental allergic encephalitis (EAE) mice requires more extensive investigation. By flow cytometry and qPCR, we identified a new subset of IL-15-secreting T (T15) cells that increased in EAE mice. The capacity of IL-15-secreting T cells inducing memory T cells and memory T cells inducing IL-17(+)Th17 was examined by transferring into EAE mice and 7-week-old female nude mice, respectively. We found that T15 induced CD44(hi) memory T cells by secreting IL-15. T15-induced memory T cells induced EAE by transforming into pathogenic Th17 cells. The data suggest that a new subset of IL-15-secreting T cells mediated the production of memory T cells which transformed into pathogenic Th17 cells in EAE mice.