The cytokine interleukin 17A is involved in the activation of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and cell adhesion molecules in several cell types such as, macrophages, dendritic cells, T cells, synovial cells, and endothelial cells. Overexpression of this protein has been associated with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Behcet′s disease, allograft rejection, nephritic syndrome, asthma, and multiple sclerosis. In mice, it has been observed to be implicated in the development of allergic and autoimmune diseases. Polymorphism in IL17A gene has been associated with lung cancer.
