Abstract
IL-9-producing CD4+ T cells have been considered to represent a distinct T helper cell (TH cell) subset owing to their unique developmental programme in vitro, their expression of distinct transcription factors (including PU.1) and their copious production of IL-9. It remains debatable whether these cells represent a truly unique TH cell subset in vivo, but they are closely related to the T helper 2 (TH2) cells that are detected in allergic diseases. In recent years, increasing evidence has also indicated that IL-9-producing T cells may have potent abilities in eradicating advanced tumours, particularly melanomas. Here, we review the latest literature on the development of IL-9-producing T cells and their functions in disease settings, with a particular focus on allergy and cancer. We also discuss recent ideas concerning the therapeutic targeting of these cells in patients with chronic allergic diseases and their potential use in cancer immunotherapy.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank their colleagues for scientific insights. C.D.’s research is supported, in part, by grants from the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFC0906200), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31630022, 31991173, 31821003 and 91642201) and Beijing Municipal Science and Technology (Z181100001318007, Z181100006318015 and Z171100000417005). P.A.’s research is supported by a grant from the Thai Government Research Fund (630000050161). The authors acknowledge and apologize to those whose important contributions could not be cited owing to space limitations.
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Glossary
- Papain
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A cysteine protease allergen that has been commonly used as a model of exposure to natural allergen sources to induce allergic airway inflammation in mice. On airway papain challenge, it can trigger type 2 T helper cell-type cytokine production, induce eosinophilia and enhance IgE production.
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Angkasekwinai, P., Dong, C. IL-9-producing T cells: potential players in allergy and cancer. Nat Rev Immunol 21, 37–48 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41577-020-0396-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41577-020-0396-0
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