Increased Prevalence of Circulating Novel IL-17 Secreting Foxp3 Expressing CD4+ T Cells and Defective Suppressive Function of Circulating Foxp3+ Regulatory Cells Support Plasticity Between Th17 and Regulatory T Cells in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients

Prevalence of circulating IL-17 and Foxp3 DE CD4(+) T cells is increased in patients with IBD. Coexpression of RORγt and Foxp3 in these cells implies conversion from Treg cells to Th17 cells. This is associated with a decreased suppressive function of Foxp3 CD4(+) T lymphocytes in patients with IBD.