Phosphorylated STAT3 and PD‐1 regulate IL‐17 production and IL‐23 receptor expression in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

We studied the factors that regulate IL‐23 receptor expression and IL‐17 production in human tuberculosis infection. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb)‐stimulated CD4+ T cells from tuberculosis patients secreted less IL‐17 than did CD4+ T cells from healthy tuberculin reactors (PPD+). M. tb‐cultured monocytes from tuberculosis patients and PPD+ donors expressed equal amounts of IL‐23p19 mRNA and protein, suggesting that reduced IL‐23 production is not responsible for decreased IL‐17 production by tuberculosis patients. Freshly isolated and M. tb‐stimulated CD4+ T cells from tuberculosis patients had reduced IL‐23 receptor and phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3) expression, compared with cells from PPD+ donors. STAT3 siRNA reduced IL‐23 receptor expression and IL‐17 production by CD4+ T cells from PPD+ donors. Tuberculosis patients had increased numbers of PD‐1+ T cells compared with healthy PPD+ individuals. Anti‐PD‐1 antibody enhanced pSTAT3 and IL‐23R expression and IL‐17 production by M. tb‐cultured CD4+ T cells of tuberculosis patients. Anti‐tuberculosis therapy decreased PD‐1 expression, increased IL‐17 and IFN‐γ production and pSTAT3 and IL‐23R expression. These findings demonstrate that increased PD‐1 expression and decreased pSTAT3 expression reduce IL‐23 receptor expression and IL‐17 production by CD4+ T cells of tuberculosis patients.