These findings suggest that there may be a new dichotomy in helper T-cell differentiation, and IL-6 might be a crucial factor to polarize to increase Th17 cells and to inhibit regulatory T cells, leading to autoimmunity.
Yoshiyuki Ohsugi is the science director for the MRA unit (a humanized anti-human interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody) at Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. in Tokyo, Japan.