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Correspondence
Can cells other than Th17 lymphocytes be important sources of IL-17 in the lungs?
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  1. Malcolm Brodlie1,2,
  2. James Lordan1,3,
  3. Christopher Ward1
  1. 1Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
  2. 2Department of Respiratory Paediatrics, Great North Children's Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
  3. 3Cardiopulmonary Transplantation Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Malcolm Brodlie, c/o Paediatric Respiratory Secretaries, Old Children's Outpatients Department, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK; m.j.brodlie{at}ncl.ac.uk

https://doi.org/10.1136/thx.2010.157941

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    We read with interest the recent paper by Facco et al which showed that Th17 cells are present in blood, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung tissue from people with sarcoidosis. The authors conclude that Th17 cells are involved in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis as a multisystem disorder.1

    Interestingly, the paper mentions expression of interleukin (IL)-17 protein by macrophages. Currently, a strong emphasis exists in the literature on the role of Th17 lymphocytes in the production of IL-17 in the lungs. However, Th17 cells are not the only source of IL-17 identified.2 IL-17 is also known to be produced by γδ and natural killer T cells.3 4 It has also been suggested that in human alcoholic liver disease, atherosclerosis and rodent models of lipopolysaccharide-induced airway inflammation IL-17 can be localised to neutrophils.5–7 Furthermore, we have recently demonstrated that IL-17 protein expression is raised in the lower airway of people with advanced cystic fibrosis lung disease.8 This IL-17 protein expression was immunolocalised to both neutrophils and mononuclear cells.8

    It is known that granulocytes may be part of the inflammatory process in sarcoidosis.9 10 The BAL method used by Facco et al was referenced, via the online supplement, to an original paper that used a 200 ml lavage. A differential cell count seems to have been produced from a cytospin, but in the table listing differential BAL data the percentage of neutrophils was not stated.

    It would therefore be of interest if the authors could clarify the methodology used for the BAL and differential cell counts, whether any neutrophils were detected in BAL from people with sarcoidosis, and if so, did neutrophils demonstrate IL-17 immunolocalisation? Such data may support a paradigm indicating that IL-17 expression may involve cells in addition to Th17 lymphocytes in sarcoidosis. This may also be relevant to other lung pathologies where IL-17 is implicated.

    References

    1. ↵
      1. Facco M,
      2. Cabrelle A,
      3. Teramo A,
      4. et al
      . Sarcoidosis is a Th1/Th17 multisystem disorder. Thorax 2011;66:144–50.
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      1. Cua DJ,
      2. Tato CM
      . Innate IL-17-producing cells: the sentinels of the immune system. Nat Rev Immunol 2010;10:479–89.
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      . Identification of an IL-17-producing NK1.1(neg) iNKT cell population involved in airway neutrophilia. J Exp Med 2007;204:995–1001.
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      . IL-17, produced by lymphocytes and neutrophils, is necessary for lipopolysaccharide-induced airway neutrophilia: IL-15 as a possible trigger. J Immunol 2003;170:2106–12.
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      1. Li L,
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      . IL-17 produced by neutrophils regulates IFN-gamma-mediated neutrophil migration in mouse kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury. J Clin Invest 2010;120:331–42.
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      1. Brodlie M,
      2. McKean MC,
      3. Johnson GE,
      4. et al
      . Raised interleukin-17 is immuno-localised to neutrophils in cystic fibrosis lung disease. Eur Respir J 2011;37:1378–85.
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      1. Lin YH,
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      . Chronic pulmonary sarcoidosis: relationship between lung lavage cell counts, chest radiograph, and results of standard lung function tests. Thorax 1985;40:501–7.
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    Footnotes

    • Linked articles 159558.

    • Funding Medical Research Council, Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

    • Competing interests None.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; not externally peer reviewed.

    Linked Articles

    • PostScript
      Authors' response
      Monica Facco Anna Cabrelle Carlo Agostini
      Thorax 2011; 66 1096-1097 Published Online First: 15 Mar 2011. doi: 10.1136/thx.2011.159558