Delving into the adytum of the IL-17 defense pathway

Multiple transcription factors are activated in the IL-17 signaling pathway that mediates anti-fungal immunity, although many of them are redundant for protective immunity despite being essential in driving IL-17-mediated autoimmunity. In this issue, Gaffen and colleagues unveil the IκBζ protein as an indispensable transcription factor in IL-17-activated anti-fungal defense. Multiple transcription factors are activated in the IL-17 signaling pathway that mediates anti-fungal immunity, although many of them are redundant for protective immunity despite being essential in driving IL-17-mediated autoimmunity. In this issue, Gaffen and colleagues unveil the IκBζ protein as an indispensable transcription factor in IL-17-activated anti-fungal defense. IκBζ is an essential mediator of immunity to oropharyngeal candidiasisTaylor et al.Cell Host & MicrobeSeptember 18, 2023In BriefFungal pathogens are of increasing medical concern. Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) is the most common fungal infection in humans, but tissue-specific correlates of oral immunity are poorly understood. Taylor et al. show that IL-17 prevents OPC through the non-canonical transcription factor, IκBζ, which regulates essential antimicrobial peptide effectors. Full-Text PDF