Treg17 cells are programmed by Stat3 to suppress Th17 responses in systemic lupus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex and potentially fatal autoimmune disorder. Although Th17 cells are thought to be central mediators of SLE, mechanisms underlying their counter regulation remain largely unknown. To help define this, we studied the function of the newly defined Stat3-dependent Th17-specific regulatory T cells (Treg17). Treg-specific deletion of Stat3 was achieved by generating Foxp3(Cre) × Stat3(fl/fl) mice and SLE...