Demonstration of supTh17 cells in healthy subjects and associated decreases in Crohn’s disease.

<p>The frequency of CD4⁺IL-17⁺ and of supTh17 was determined in PBMCs and LPMCs by flow cytometry. supTh17 were identified by initially gating CD4⁺CD45RO⁺ cells within PBMCs or LPMCs and then by determining the proportion of CD39⁺IL-17⁺ and FOXP3⁺ within them. Mean (+SEM) frequency of (A) CD4⁺IL-17⁺ and of (B) supTh17 cells in the circulation and in the lamina propria. Mean (+SEM) frequency of supTh17 positive for (C) Stat-3 and for (D) TNF-α and IL-2 in the circulation and in the lamina propria. Healthy subjects: n = 17; Crohn’s: n = 25; *<i>P</i>≤0.05; **<i>P</i>≤0.01; ***<i>P</i>≤0.001.