We have recently reported that, in an autoimmune disease model, IL-17 producing CD4 T cells recruit neutrophils through IL-17-mediated activation of chemokine production by epithelial cells.47 Therefore, during B. pertussis infection IL-17, secreted mainly by CD4 TRM cells in the respiratory tract, may act on local epithelial cells to produce chemokines that recruit neutrophils. This evidence concerns the gene CD4 and autoimmune disease.