Functions of T Cells
Type | Characteristic Transcription Factor | Substances Produced | Primary Function |
|---|---|---|---|
Th1 | T-bet | IFN-gamma IL-2 Lymphotoxin (TNF-beta) TNF (TNF-alpha) | Facilitate macrophage and cytotoxic T-cell responses Fighting intracellular infections and tumors |
Th2 | GATA3 | IL-4 IL-5 IL-10 IL-13 | Stimulate antibody production by B cells Promoting allergic inflammation Fighting parasitic infestation |
Th9 | PU.1 | IL-9 | Promote inflammatory responses |
Th17 | RORgammaT | IL-17 IL-21 IL-22 | Promote inflammatory responses |
Th22 | AhR | IL-10 IL-13 IL-21 IL-22 | Promote epithelial barrier integrity by facilitating tissue repair and wound healing |
Tfh | Bcl-6 | IL-4 IL-10 IL-21 | Help germinal center B cells |
Tc | Subsets of Tc cells (Tc1, Tc2, Tc9, Tc17, and Tc22) are analogous to Th subsets in their characteristic transcription factors | Perforin Granzymes FasL Cytokines* | Kill infected cells |
Regulatory | Foxp3 | TGF-beta IL-10 IL-35 | Suppress immune responses |
NKT cells | Subsets of NKT cells have been described with characteristic transcription factors and cytokine production similar to Th and Tc subsets | Cytokines* | May help regulate immune responses |
* Tc, also known as CTL, can be subdivided into Tc1, Tc2, Tc9, Tc17, and Tc22 based upon analogous cytokine production to Th1, Th2, Th9, Th17, and Th22 cells. | |||
FasL = Fas ligand; IFN = interferon; IL = interleukin; NK = natural killer; Tc = cytotoxic T cell; TGF = transforming growth factor; Th = helper T cell; TNF = tumor necrosis factor. | |||