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Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes
Published on: September 26, 2013
The molecular basis of T helper 1 and T helper 2 cell differentiation
1DNAX Research Institute, 901 California Avenue, Palo Alto CA 94304-1104, USA. Anne.O'garra@dnax.org
Cytokines such as interleukin 12 (IL-12) and IL-4 are dominant factors in driving the development of T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cells, respectively, through specific signalling pathways. In addition, it has been demonstrated more recently that T helper-cell-specific transcription factors exist that determine the commitment of Th1 and Th2 cells for the production of distinct profiles of cytokines. In addition to the expression of distinct cytokine genes and transcription factors, the molecular basis for commitment to a Th1 or Th2 phenotype can probably be explained by multiple mechanisms, including differential cytokine signalling, exclusive cytokine receptor expression, differential expression of transcription factors and/or differential chromatin remodelling of Th1- and Th2-specific genes.
Cytokines such as interleukin 12 (IL-12) and IL-4 are dominant factors in driving the development of T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cells, respectively, through specific signalling pathways. In addition, it has been demonstrated more recently that T helper-cell-specific transcription factors exist that determine the commitment of Th1 and Th2 cells for the production of distinct profiles of cytokines. In addition to the expression of distinct cytokine genes and transcription factors, the molecular basis for commitment to a Th1 or Th2 phenotype can probably be explained by multiple mechanisms, including differential cytokine signalling, exclusive cytokine receptor expression, differential expression of transcription factors and/or differential chromatin remodelling of Th1- and Th2-specific genes.
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