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Nature Immunology 9, 124–126 (1 February 2008) | doi:10.1038/ni0208-124

IL-17 drives germinal center B cells?

David Tarlinton

The inflammatory cytokine interleukin 17, normally considered a T cell|[ndash]|associated factor, is now reported to be the central participant driving the development of germinal center|[ndash]|derived autoantibodies in a model disease setting. The recombinant inbred BXD2 mouse strain develops an erosive arthritis accompanied by circulating immune complexes and progressive glomerulonephritis. These symptoms are correlated with increased titers of autoantibodies reactive with nucleosome proteins, metabolic enzymes and both structural and heat shock proteins.