Stress-induced glucocorticoids enhance acute inflammation by promoting the differentiation of Th17 cells

Abstract

Stress can trigger acute inflammation by increasing the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-17 for injury and infection, while inducing the production of the immunosuppressive hormone glucocorticoids (GCs). However, the mechanism through which stress-induced GCs enhance acute inflammation by directly regulating the development of IL-17-producing helper T (Th17) cells remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that GCs promote Th17 cell differentiation and survival in both mice and humans. Stress-induced GCs augment the expansion of Th17 cells expressing low levels of TCF1, a negative regulator of IL-17 expression. In addition, GCs promote Th17 cell differentiation by enhancing glycolysis. Stress-induced GCs also increase IL-17 production and neutrophil recruitment in the intestine upon bacterial antigen stimulation. Moreover, the expansion of Th17 cells mediated by stress-induced GCs exacerbates acute colitis by promoting IL-17 production and neutrophil recruitment. Thus, stress promotes acute inflammation by enhancing the differentiation of Th17 cells through GCs, which may contribute to self-defense against infections.