The Alterations in and the Role of the Th17/Treg Balance in Metabolic Diseases

Overview

Journal Front Immunol

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2021 Jul 29

PMID 34322117

Citations 76

Authors

Siwen Zhang

Xiaokun Gang

Shuo Yang

Mengzhao Cui

Lin Sun

Zhuo Li

Guixia Wang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Chronic inflammation plays an important role in the development of metabolic diseases. These include obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease. The proinflammatory environment maintained by the innate immunity, including macrophages and related cytokines, can be influenced by adaptive immunity. The function of T helper 17 (Th17) and regulatory T (Treg) cells in this process has attracted attention. The Th17/Treg balance is regulated by inflammatory cytokines and various metabolic factors, including those associated with cellular energy metabolism. The possible underlying mechanisms include metabolism-related signaling pathways and epigenetic regulation. Several studies conducted on human and animal models have shown marked differences in and the important roles of Th17/Treg in chronic inflammation associated with obesity and metabolic diseases. Moreover, Th17/Treg seems to be a bridge linking the gut microbiota to host metabolic disorders. In this review, we have provided an overview of the alterations in and the functions of the Th17/Treg balance in metabolic diseases and its role in regulating immune response-related glucose and lipid metabolism.

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