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Cytokines of the γc family control CD4+ T cell differentiation and function

Nature Immunology volume 13, pages 1037–1044 (2012)Cite this article

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Abstract

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 (γc) 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.

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Figure 1: A model for early TH2 differentiation.
Figure 2: A model for the regulation of early TH2 differentiation by TCR signal strength.
Figure 3: A model for early determination of iTreg fate versus TH17 fate controlled by TCR signal strength.
Figure 4: A model for early determination of Teff cell fate versus TFH cell fate controlled by TCR signal strength.

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Acknowledgements

Supported by the Division of Intramural Research of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (US National Institutes of Health).

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  1. Cytokine Biology Unit, Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

    Hidehiro Yamane & William E Paul

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Yamane, H., Paul, W. Cytokines of the γc family control CD4+ T cell differentiation and function. Nat Immunol 13, 1037–1044 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/ni.2431

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