While the immune system is critical for fighting off invading micro-organisms, sometimes it can turn against the body and attack healthy tissues or be involved in cancer cell growth.

A study by University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers provides new details about the development of a particular immune cell that can play a role in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases as well as cancer.

The researchers report in the journal Nature new details of what triggers the development of Th17, a CD4 helper T-cell.

This type of cell sends out signals to draw additional help to the site of tumours or infection.

The researchers hope their discovery could aid in the search for new treatments for autoimmune disorders and cancer.

"As we discover these molecular mechanisms, we offer potential new molecular targets that could allow us to precisely target this lineage of immune cell to treat related diseases," said UNC Lineberger's Yisong Wan, PhD, associate professor in the UNC School of Medicine Department of Microbiology & Immunology. "This is a type of cell that is very important for autoimmune diseases, inflammation and cancer. How these cells are generated was not very clear."

The researchers discovered how a complex interplay of signals that help to loosen DNA at a particular site, allowing the expression of a gene that's key to the development of the Th17 subtype.

First, interleukin-6 signalling unravels the DNA at this key gene site.

Then, in a new discovery, they found that Ski-Smad4, a molecular complex that usually squats on the DNA to prevent it from being read, must be released.

They report that TGF-beta signalling releases Ski-Smad4.

"We knew that interleukin-6 signalling reprograms a particular DNA site that makes the cell ready to express this gene, but you need another event - through this TGF-beta signalling -- to allow it be expressed," Wan said.

He said that while interleukin-6 is like an accelerator to drive Th17 expression, Ski-Smad4 is like a brake that needs to be released.

"If you have interleukin-6 signalling alone, you're pushing on the gas, but if the brake is still on, the car won't move," he said. "You need TGF-beta to release the brake so Th17 cell differentiation can move forward."

Wan said their findings reveal a new signalling system that could be a potential drug target for a range of diseases.

"We reveal an important mechanism underlying Th17 cell generation," Wan said.

"Smad4 deficiency in T-cells has been associated with gastric cancers, and Th17 development."

Jonathan Serody, MD, UNC Lineberger member and Elizabeth Thomas Professor in the UNC School of Medicine, said Th17 cells have also been found to play a role in reactions to stem cell or bone marrow transplantation from another donor.

"The development of Th17 cells has been associated with tissue damage from donor immune cells after stem cell transplantation for malignant disease," Serody said.

"We hope that understanding how these cells generate could open the door for research into targeted treatments to help us prevent transplant rejection."

Source: UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center