Journal
ANNUAL REVIEW OF IMMUNOLOGY, VOL 39
Volume 39, Issue -, Pages 51-76Publisher
ANNUAL REVIEWS
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-061020-053702
Keywords
cytokines; T helper cells; inflammation; transcription factors
Categories
Funding
- National Key Research and Development Program of China [2016YFC0906200]
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [31630022, 31991173, 31821003, 91642201]
- Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission [Z181100001318007, Z181100006318015, Z171100000417005]
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology at Tsinghua University
Ask authors/readers for more resources
T lymphocytes play a key role in cellular immunity, with significant heterogeneity in CD4(+) T cells leading to the identification of various subsets with unique roles in immunity and pathology. Understanding cytokine regulation and function has provided innovative treatment options for many human diseases.
T lymphocytes, the major effector cells in cellular immunity, produce cytokines in immune responses to mediate inflammation and regulate other types of immune cells. Work in the last three decades has revealed significant heterogeneity in CD4(+) T cells, in terms of their cytokine expression, leading to the discoveries of T helper 1 (Th1), Th2, Th17, and T follicular helper (Tfh) cell subsets. These cells possess unique developmental and regulatory pathways and play distinct roles in immunity and immune-mediated pathologies. Other types of T cells, including regulatory T cells and gamma delta T cells, as well as innate lymphocytes, display similar features of subpopulations, which may play differential roles in immunity. Mechanisms exist to prevent cytokine production by T cells to maintain immune tolerance to self-antigens, some of which may also underscore immune exhaustion in the context of tumors. Understanding cytokine regulation and function has offered innovative treatment of many human diseases.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available