specialized immune cells involved in inflammation and autoimmune responses
T helper 17 cells, often abbreviated as Th17 cells, are a subset of T cells, which are a type of white blood cell crucial for the immune system. Th17 cells play a key role in defending the body against bacterial and fungal infections by producing a specific set of signaling molecules called cytokines, particularly interleukin-17 (IL-17). They are also involved in inflammatory responses and have been implicated in various autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues.