Innate immune recognition of infected apoptotic cells directs TH17 cell differentiation

This paper identifies the apoptotic cell engulfment of infected cells as a prominent signal for the induction of TH17 cells, the subset of interleukin 17-producing T helper cells thought to be involved in autoimmunity. This demonstrates that infected apoptotic cells are a critical component of the innate immune signals instructing TH17 differentiation, and point to pathogens particularly adept at triggering apoptosis that might preferentially induce TH17-mediated immunity. Investigation of the pathways of innate recognition of infected apoptotic cells might lead to improved understanding of the causative defects in autoimmunity.