T cells may be broadly classified as either helper T cells (Th cells, CD4+) or cytotoxic T cells (Tc cells, CD8+). In 1986, T.R. Mosmann, R.L. Coffman, and colleagues observed that individual clones of helper T cells could be separated into two classes depending upon the specific cytokines the cells secrete in response to antigenic stimulation.1 Th1 cells primarily produce interferon (IFN)-g and interleukin (IL)-2, whereas Th2 cells produce IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-13. The two helper T cell classes also differ by the type of immune response they produce. While Th1 cells tend to generate responses against intracellular parasites such as bacteria and viruses, Th2 cells produce immune responses against helminths and other extracellular parasites.2,3 Interestingly, the cytokines produced by each Th subset tend to both stimulate production of that Th subset, and inhibit development of the other Th subset. That is, IFN-g produced by Th1 cells has ...
Distinguishing Th1 and Th2 Cells
Reagents That Distinguish Th1 and Th2 cells Courtesy of R&D SystemsSchematic representation of cytokines influencing the development of antigen-activated naive CD4+ T cells into Th1 and Th2 cells. Editor's note: Although individual techniques are associated with specific researchers in this article, it should be noted that these investigators commonly use several different techniques to analyze T lymphocyte populations. The human body is constantly under siege. It must defend itself fr
Written byJeffrey Perkel
| 11 min read
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