Letter to the Editor: Th-17 Lymphocytes

To the Editor, We know that there are Th-1 (T helper type 1) CD4+ T effector lymphocytes, which combat infections by intracellular pathogens via formation of the cytokines Il-2 and IFNγ (interferongamma), and conversely there are Th-2 CD4+T cells, which help the clearance of helminths and parasites by producing the interleukins Il- 4,Il-5, and Il-13. The nephrologist may be interested because Th-1 cells feature in glomerulonephritides such as IgA nephropathy and lupus nephritis. Th-2 lymphocytes and their cytokines Il- 4 and Il-13 were demonstrated to decrease the trans-epithelial electrical resistance of rat glomerular visceral epithelial cells, so causing proteinuria.