Anti CD71 mAb restrains T helper 17 cell differentiation and pathogenicity

Iron plays a critical role in immune responses, but its role in T helper cell differentiation and function remains poorly understood. Here, we showed that restraining iron availability by blocking CD71 mediated iron endocytosis impaired the differentiation and pathogenicity of TH17 cells.Administrations of anti CD71 monoclonal antibody could relieve the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Mechanistically, the iron deficiency caused by blocking CD71 enhanced IL2 expression and impaired histone modifications of Il17 gene. Together, our finding reveals that iron plays a pivotal role in regulating TH17 differentiation and function in autoimmune diseases.