The role of type I interferons in the differentiation and function of Th1 and Th2 cells.
T-helper cells are compartmentalized according to the cytokines they are able to produce. T-helper 1 cells produce interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and develop following priming with IL-12. T-helper 2 cells produce IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10, and IL-4 is necessary to induce the differentiation of these cells. Type I IFNs have no direct effects on T-helper cell differentiation, but may regulate, especially in humans, the expression of the IL-12 receptor and thus influence T-helper 1 differentiation. On the other hand, type I IFNs can have inhibitory effects on the cytokine production by differentiated T-helper 1 cells. This suggests an important regulatory role for type I IFNs in adaptive immunity.
de Waal Malefyt
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Department of Immunobiology, DNAX Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1104, USA.
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000502:physiology*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007378:Interleukins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism
D007370:Interferon Type I; D007378:Interleukins; D015847:Interleukin-4