Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

16.9K
T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
16.9K
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

3.0K
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
3.0K
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response01:23

Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response

9.8K
The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...
9.8K
B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

17.7K
The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
17.7K
Lineage Commitment01:21

Lineage Commitment

4.5K
Commitment is the  process whereby stem cells:
4.5K
Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division01:27

Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division

4.0K
Several external and internal factors influence the initiation and inhibition of cell division. For instance, the death of nearby cells or the release of human growth hormone (hGH) promotes cell division. In contrast, lack of hGH or crowding of cells can inhibit cell division.
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...
4.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Mapping self-associating chromatin hubs identifies Id proteins as key determinants of exhausted CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell fate.

Nature immunology·2026
Same author

Exhausted CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell fate is programmed by dynamic CTCF-mediated enhancer activation and invariant CTCF-imposed barriers.

Nature immunology·2026
Same author

Distinct transcription factors control tissue adaptation and effector function in infant and adult memory T cells.

Nature immunology·2026
Same author

Immune development in early life.

Nature immunology·2026
Same author

Human papillomavirus vaccine uptake and the impact of school-based health services in Switzerland: a cross-sectional study.

BMJ public health·2026
Same author

Single-cell lineage tracing identifies hemogenic endothelial cells in the adult mouse bone marrow.

eLife·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 10, 2026

In Vitro Tumor Cell Rechallenge For Predictive Evaluation of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Antitumor Function
08:04

In Vitro Tumor Cell Rechallenge For Predictive Evaluation of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Antitumor Function

Published on: February 27, 2019

12.8K

CD4+ T cell effector commitment coupled to self-renewal by asymmetric cell divisions.

Simone A Nish1,2, Kyra D Zens3,4,5, Radomir Kratchmarov1,2

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|December 8, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Activated CD4+ T cells balance self-renewal and differentiation. This study reveals that TCF1 expression dictates whether CD4+ T cells become memory cells or effector cells after influenza infection, driven by asymmetric cell division.

More Related Videos

Quantification of Proliferating Human Antigen-specific CD4+ T Cells using Carboxyfluorescein Succinimidyl Ester
07:00

Quantification of Proliferating Human Antigen-specific CD4+ T Cells using Carboxyfluorescein Succinimidyl Ester

Published on: June 4, 2019

9.3K
A Three-dimensional Thymic Culture System to Generate Murine Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Tumor Antigen-specific Thymic Emigrants
10:44

A Three-dimensional Thymic Culture System to Generate Murine Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Tumor Antigen-specific Thymic Emigrants

Published on: August 9, 2019

7.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 10, 2026

In Vitro Tumor Cell Rechallenge For Predictive Evaluation of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Antitumor Function
08:04

In Vitro Tumor Cell Rechallenge For Predictive Evaluation of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Antitumor Function

Published on: February 27, 2019

12.8K
Quantification of Proliferating Human Antigen-specific CD4+ T Cells using Carboxyfluorescein Succinimidyl Ester
07:00

Quantification of Proliferating Human Antigen-specific CD4+ T Cells using Carboxyfluorescein Succinimidyl Ester

Published on: June 4, 2019

9.3K
A Three-dimensional Thymic Culture System to Generate Murine Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Tumor Antigen-specific Thymic Emigrants
10:44

A Three-dimensional Thymic Culture System to Generate Murine Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Tumor Antigen-specific Thymic Emigrants

Published on: August 9, 2019

7.7K

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Infectious Disease

Background:

  • Activated CD4+ T cells are crucial for adaptive immunity, differentiating into effector cells for immediate defense and memory cells for long-term immunity.
  • The mechanisms governing the balance between CD4+ T cell differentiation and self-renewal remain incompletely understood.
  • Heterogeneity within CD4+ T cell populations after activation can impact immune response efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the distinct cell fate outcomes of sibling CD4+ T cells following viral infection.
  • To elucidate the role of TCF1 expression in regulating CD4+ T cell differentiation and self-renewal.
  • To understand the signaling pathways driving intraclonal cell fate heterogeneity.

Main Methods:

  • Influenza challenge in mice to study antigen-specific CD4+ T cell responses in vivo.
  • Flow cytometry and lineage tracing to track TCF1 expression and cell division history.
  • In vitro differentiation experiments modeling T cell responses.
  • Analysis of PI3K/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • Sibling CD4+ T cells exhibit opposing fates: differentiation into T helper 1 effectors or self-renewal with memory-like properties.
  • TCF1 expression is a key determinant, with TCF1-silenced cells becoming lung-homing effectors and TCF1-expressing cells persisting in lymph nodes.
  • Asymmetric cell division, influenced by unequal PI3K/mTOR signaling, couples self-renewal with the production of differentiated effector cells.

Conclusions:

  • CD4+ T cell clonal expansion generates both effector and self-renewing memory populations through TCF1-mediated fate decisions.
  • Asymmetric division is a critical mechanism for maintaining immune memory while mounting an effective response against infection.
  • Targeting signaling pathways like PI3K/mTOR may offer strategies to modulate T cell responses in infectious diseases and autoimmunity.