Cytokines of the γ(c) family control CD4+ T cell differentiation and function.
Naive CD4(+) T cells undergo massive proliferation and differentiation into at least four distinct helper T cell subsets after recognition of foreign antigen-derived peptides presented by dendritic cells. Each helper T cell subset expresses a distinct set of genes that encode unique transcription factor(s), as well as hallmark cytokines. The cytokine environment created by activated CD4(+) T cells, dendritic cells and/or other cell types during the course of differentiation is a major determinant for the helper T cell fate. This Review focuses on the role of cytokines of the common γ-chain (γ(c)) family in the determination of the effector helper T cell phenotype that naive CD4(+) T cells adopt after being activated and in the function of these helper T cells.
Cytokine Biology Unit, Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. hyamane@niaid.nih.gov
Hidehiro
H
Yamane
William E
WE
Paul
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000276:immunology
D000941:Antigens; D016207:Cytokines; D014157:Transcription Factors