T regs and Th17 balance

Jamshidian A, Shaygannejad V, Pourazar A, Zarkesh SH, Gharagozloo M. Biased Treg/Th17 balance away from regulatory toward inflammatory phenotype in relapsed multiple sclerosis and its correlation with severity of symptoms. J Neuroimmunol. 2013. doi:pii: S0165-5728(13)00166-5.

The opposing immune functions of Treg and Th17 lymphocytes and the plasticity of Treg/Th17 differentiation, has led us to investigate the effects of their fluctuations and counterbalance in autoimmune condition of multiple sclerosis (MS). Evaluation of Treg and Th17 frequency in peripheral blood of a group of relapsed MS patients, showed a decrease in Treg/Th17 ratio compared to that of healthy controls. A reverse correlation between these subsets was observed in controls but not in patient groups. Both Treg frequency and Treg/Th17 ratio were negatively correlated with severity of symptoms. There was shown to be an enduring increase in Treg frequency associated with MS disease.

So more fuel for the T cell hypothesis Treg are a type of cell that control autoimmunity so the less of them the more autoimmunity and then couple this with more Th17 cells (autoimmune causing cells) the more autoimmunity. Simple solution boost T regs decrease Th17. This is what is being tried with inhibition of interleukin 17. 

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