The metabolism-modulating activity of IL-17 signaling in health and disease

This review highlights the emergent role of the cytokine IL-17 in orchestrating cellular and organismal metabolism. Metabolism is thereby integrated into the protective and pathogenic aspects of IL-17 responses in a temporally and spatially regulated manner.
IL-17 was discovered nearly 30 yr ago, but it has only been recently appreciated that a key function of this cytokine is to orchestrate cellular and organismal metabolism. Indeed, metabolic regulation is integrated into both the physiological and the pathogenic aspects of IL-17 responses. Thus, understanding the interplay between IL-17 and downstream metabolic processes could ultimately inform therapeutic opportunities for diseases involving IL-17, including some not traditionally linked to this cytokine pathway. Here, we discuss the emerging pathophysiological roles of IL-17 related to cellular and organismal metabolism, including metabolic regulation of IL-17 signal transduction.