Role of Interleukin-17 in Acute Pancreatitis

• Main Authors: Guanqun Li, Hongze Chen, Liwei Liu, Peng Xiao, Yu Xie, Xinglong Geng, Tao Zhang, Yang Zhang, Tianqi Lu, Hongtao Tan, Le Li, Bei Sun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2021-09-01
• Series: Frontiers in Immunology
• Subjects: interleukin-17; acute pancreatitis; T helper 17 cells; immune response; gut microbiome
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2021.674803/full

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a leading cause of death and is commonly accompanied by systemic manifestations that are generally associated with a poor prognosis. Many cytokines contribute to pancreatic tissue damage and cause systemic injury. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a cytokine that may play a vital role in AP. Specifically, IL-17 has important effects on the immune response and causes interactions between different inflammatory mediators in the AP-related microenvironment. In this literature review, we will discuss the existing academic understanding of IL-17 and the impacts of IL-17 in different cells (especially in acinar cells and immune system cells) in AP pathogenesis. The clinical significance and potential mechanisms of IL-17 on AP deterioration are emphasized. The evidence suggests that inhibiting the IL-17 cytokine family could alleviate the pathogenic process of AP, and we highlight therapeutic strategies that directly or indirectly target IL-17 cytokines in acute pancreatitis.