Buffering Adaptive Immunity by Hydrogen Sulfide

Abstract: T cell-mediated adaptive immunity is designed to respond to non-self antigens andpathogens through the activation and proliferation of various T cell populations. T helper 1 (Th1),Th2, Th17 and Treg cells finely orchestrate cellular responses through a plethora of paracrine andautocrine stimuli that include cytokines, autacoids, and hormones. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is oneof these mediators able to induce/inhibit immunological responses, playing a role in inflammatoryand autoimmune diseases, neurological disorders, asthma, acute pancreatitis, and sepsis. Both endogenousand exogenous H2S modulate numerous important cell signaling pathways. In monocytes,polymorphonuclear, and T cells H2S impacts on activation, survival, proliferation, polarization,adhesion pathways, and modulates cytokine production and sensitivity to chemokines. Here, weoffer a comprehensive review on the role of H2S as a natural buffer able to maintain over time afunctional balance between Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg immunological responses.