title: Th9 cells: differentiation and disease.
abstract: CD4(+)  T-helper cells regulate immunity and inflammation through the acquisition of potential to secrete specific cytokines. The acquisition of cytokine-secreting potential, in a process termed T-helper cell differentiation, is a response to multiple environmental signals including the cytokine milieu. The most recently defined subset of T-helper cells are termed Th9 and are identified by the potent production of interleukin-9 (IL-9). Given the pleiotropic functions of IL-9, Th9 cells might be involved in pathogen immunity and immune-mediated disease. In this review, I focus on recent developments in understanding the signals that promote Th9 differentiation, the transcription factors that regulate IL-9 expression, and finally the potential roles for Th9 cells in immunity in vivo.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, HB Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. mkaplan2@iupui.edu
authors: Mark H
authors: MH
authors: Kaplan
mesh_terms: D002450:Cell Communication; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D058685:Genetic Pleiotropy / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D016906:Interleukin-9 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016906:Interleukin-9; D014157:Transcription Factors