CD4 T cells: fates, functions, and faults.
In 1986, Mosmann and Coffman identified 2 subsets of activated CD4 T cells, Th1 and Th2 cells, which differed from each other in their pattern of cytokine production and their functions. Our understanding of the importance of the distinct differentiated forms of CD4 T cells and of the mechanisms through which they achieve their differentiated state has greatly expanded over the past 2 decades. Today at least 4 distinct CD4 T-cell subsets have been shown to exist, Th1, Th2, Th17, and iTreg cells. Here we summarize much of what is known about the 4 subsets, including the history of their discovery, their unique cytokine products and related functions, their distinctive expression of cell surface receptors and their characteristic transcription factors, the regulation of their fate determination, and the consequences of their abnormal activation.
Zhu
Jinfang
J
Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. jfzhu@niaid.nih.gov
Paul
William E
WE
D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000266:history; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009154:Mutation; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000266:history / Q000378:metabolism; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine / Q000266:history / Q000378:metabolism; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine; D014157:Transcription Factors