"TGF[beta] in the context of an inflammatory cytokine milieu supports de novo differentiation of IL-17-producing T cells," by Marc Veldhoen, Richard J. Hocking, Christopher J. Atkins, Richard M. Locksley, and Brigitta Stockinger, Immunity, 24(2): 179-89, February 2006.

[Authors' affiliations: National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London, U.K.; Howard Hughes Medical
Institute, University of California, San Francisco]

Abstract: "We describe de novo generation of IL-17-producing T cells from naive CD4 T cells, induced in cocultures of naive CD4 T cells and naturally occurring CD4(+) CD25(+) T cells (Treg) in the presence of TLR3, TLR4, or TLR9 stimuli. Treg can be substituted by TGF[beta]1, which, together with the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6, supports the differentiation of IL-17-producing T cells, a process that is amplified by IL-1[beta] and TNF[alpha]. We could not detect a role for IL-23 in the differentiation of IL-17-producing T cells but confirmed its importance for their survival and expansion. Transcription factors GATA-3 and T-bet, as well as its target Hlx, are absent in IL-17-producing T cells, and they do not express the negative regulator for TGF[beta] signaling, Smad7. Our data indicate that, in the presence of IL-6, TGF[beta]1 subverts Th1 and Th2 differentiation for the generation of IL-17-producing T cells."

This 2006 report from Immunity was cited 48 times in current journal articles indexed by Thomson Reuters during January-February 2008. During that two-month period, this was the third-most-cited biology published in the last two years (excluding reviews). Prior to the most recent bimonthly count, citations to the paper have accrued as follows:

November-December 2007: 39 citations
September-October 2007: 46
July-August 2007: 29
May-June 2007: 28
March-April 2007: 25
January-February 2007: 21
November-December 2006: 14
September-October 2006: 15
July-August 2006: 9
May-June 2006: 12
March-April 2006: 2

Total citations to date: 288

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