Type I interferons and the Th1/Th2 paradigm.
During the past year significant advances have been made in our understanding of the factors contributing to the differentiation of CD4+ T helper cell subsets. These have been driven, in part, by the realization that cytokines from the innate immune response, such as interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferons (IFNs), play a critical role in T cell subset differentiation. This review covers some of the most recent data concerning the divergent role that IFNs have in the differentiation of human versus mouse T helper cell subsets. In this review we discuss the molecular basis for the specie-specific effect of type I IFN on the selective induction of Th1 type immune responses. Furthermore, since IFN-beta is used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) we discuss the potential effects of such treatment and the value of the Th1/Th2 paradigm in MS.
Sinigaglia
F
F
Roche Milano Ricerche, Italy. francesco.sinigaglia@roche.com
D'Ambrosio
D
D
Rogge
L
L
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000276:immunology*; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D050797:STAT4 Transcription Factor; D013045:Species Specificity; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000276:immunology
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D007370:Interferon Type I; D050797:STAT4 Transcription Factor; C494090:STAT4 protein, human; C494091:Stat4 protein, mouse; D015534:Trans-Activators; D018664:Interleukin-12