Interleukin-17 (Th17)-producing T helper cells play a key role, promoting 
the formation of a protective barrier in the intestine and, in case of bacterial or fungal infection, they are able to transmit signals that favor the immune response. Furthermore, their involvement has also been highlighted in other areas, such as in the course of multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis.
By studying the cytokine cascade that leads to the development of Th17 cells, it was discovered that this cell population is able to proliferate even in the absence of intestinal microbiota or in subjects who had received antibiotics and therefore had a compromised intestinal microbiota.
It has been discovered that intestinal epithelial cells under stress lead to differentiation of Th17 cells through purine metabolites, such as xanthine, an organic compound belonging to the group of purine bases, present in the form of caffeine in coffee, tea and chocolate, even in subjects without intestinal bacteria .
Paul Pellini
Profession Herbochemist
Consulting and Research Quality Control and Pharmacognostic and Cytotoxicological Evaluation of Plant Extracts of Medicinal Plants, Microalgae and Bud Derivatives and Microbiota Research of Medicinal Plants
Scientific Responsible: Center for Control and Scientific Dissemination of Natural Substances - CCDSN
Rome Italy
E-mail: paolo.pelini@gmail.com
http://www.paolopelinierbochimico.it
Academy.Edu
https://independent.academia.edu/PPelini
Received in the editorial staff on April 15, 2023
