Functional and Phenotypic Plasticity of CD4(+) T Cell Subsets.

ABSTRACT: The remarkable plasticity of CD4(+) T cells allows individuals to respond to environmental stimuli in a context-dependent manner. A balance of CD4(+) T cell subsets is critical to mount responses against pathogen challenges to prevent inappropriate activation, to maintain tolerance, and to participate in antitumor immune responses. Specification of subsets is a process beginning in intrathymic development and continuing within the circulation. It is highly flexible to adapt to differences in nutrient availability and the tissue microenvironment. CD4(+) T cell subsets have significant cross talk, with the ability to "dedifferentiate" given appropriate environmental signals. This ability is dependent on the metabolic status of the cell, with mTOR acting as the rheostat. Autoimmune and antitu

SUBMITTER: Caza T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4637038 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature