Fig. 3

TGF-β superfamily signaling controls the biology of Th17 cells with broad functions in health and disease. A Upon culturing in the presence of different cytokine combinations, activated CD4⁺ T cells can be differentiated into Th17 (pTh17) cells of high pathogenicity and Th17 (cTh17) cells of low pathogenicity. cTh17 and pTh17 cells bear different molecular signatures. B By integrating various signaling pathways, including TCR, interleukins, and AHR, the TGF-β superfamily members TGF-β and Activin A control RORγt expression and function as well as Il17 expression through Smad and interacting proteins during Th17 cell differentiation. Differentiated Th17 cells regulate immunity, autoimmunity, cancer, and homeostasis through the secretion of cytokines