Abstract
The recognition of polarized T cell subsets defined by cytokine production was followed by a search to define the factors controlling this phenomenon. Suitable in vitro systems allowed the development of cytokine "recipes" that induced rapid polarization of naïve T cells into Th1 or Th2 populations. The next phase of work over the past several years has begun to define the intracellular processes set into motion during Th1/Th2 development, particularly by the strongly polarizing cytokines IL-12 and IL-4. Although somewhat incomplete, what has emerged is a richly detailed tapestry of signaling and transcription, controlling an important T cell developmental switch. In addition several new mediators of control have emerged, including IL-18, the intriguing Th2-selective T1/ST2 product, and heterogeneity in dendritic cells capable of directing cytokine-independent Th development.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Carrier Proteins / immunology
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Cell Division
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DNA-Binding Proteins / immunology
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Gene Expression Regulation
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Humans
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Interferon Type I / immunology
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Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
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Interleukin-1 / immunology
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Interleukin-12 / genetics
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Interleukin-13 / genetics
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Interleukin-4 / genetics
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins*
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Repressor Proteins*
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STAT4 Transcription Factor
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Signal Transduction / immunology*
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Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1 Protein
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Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins
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T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / cytology*
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T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*
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Trans-Activators / immunology
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Transcription, Genetic*
Substances
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Carrier Proteins
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Interferon Type I
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Interleukin-1
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Interleukin-13
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Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Repressor Proteins
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SOCS1 protein, human
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STAT4 Transcription Factor
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STAT4 protein, human
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Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1 Protein
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Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins
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Trans-Activators
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Interleukin-12
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Interleukin-4
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Interferon-gamma