The Many Faces of CD4 T Cells: Immunological and Structural Characteristics

Overview

Journal Int J Mol Sci

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Biochemistry
Chemistry
Molecular Biology

Date 2020 Dec 30

PMID 33374787

Citations 45

Authors

Demetra S M Chatzileontiadou

Hannah Sloane

Andrea T Nguyen

Stephanie Gras

Emma J Grant

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

As a major arm of the cellular immune response, CD4 T cells are important in the control and clearance of infections. Primarily described as helpers, CD4 T cells play an integral role in the development and activation of B cells and CD8 T cells. CD4 T cells are incredibly heterogeneous, and can be divided into six main lineages based on distinct profiles, namely T helper 1, 2, 17 and 22 (Th1, Th2, Th17, Th22), regulatory T cells (Treg) and T follicular helper cells (Tfh). Recent advances in structural biology have allowed for a detailed characterisation of the molecular mechanisms that drive CD4 T cell recognition. In this review, we discuss the defining features of the main human CD4 T cell lineages and their role in immunity, as well as their structural characteristics underlying their detection of pathogens.

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