Cell fate decision: T-helper 1 and 2 subsets in immune responses.
After activation CD4(+) helper T cells differentiate into T-helper (Th) 1 or Th2 effector cells. These two subsets are characterized by their distinct cytokine expression pattern and the immune function they mediate. Over the past years, a number of factors have been identified to affect helper T cell lineage determination, including antigen receptor, coreceptors and, most importantly, cytokine environment. In this review, we also summarize recent advancement in understanding of transcriptional and signaling regulation of the differentiation process. This knowledge will become important in the future to develop means in treating immune disorders.
Dong
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Section of Immunobiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA.
Flavell
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D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000276:immunology