Modulation of Th17 development and function by activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor - the role of endogenous ligands

The elucidation of the crucial differentiation factors for the new Th17 CD4(+) effector T-cell subset spurred an explosive growth in research publications focused on these cells and led to rapid advances in knowledge concerning their regulation and functional activities. Here we discuss recent discoveries linking the development and functional potential of Th17 cells to a transcription factor that mediates the response to exogenous and endogenous environmental signals.