In: Biology
CD4+ T cells can be directed towards multiple fates upon activation.
1. Name 5 major fates of a CD4+ T cell upon activation and state the stimulus that pushes them towards each fate.
2. What are the major functions of CD4+ T cells that take on each of these fates?
3. Differentiated T cells require continued signals to maintain their functions. What signals do Th1 cells need? What advantages might the requirement for continuous signaling have?
4. There are feedback mechanisms in place that stabilize these fates – what are they?
1. T helper cells are important key part in immune system, mature t helper cells express CD 4 cells and they are called CD4 plus T cells. In vitro, Cd 4 cells are stimulated by antigen presenting cells expressing costimulatory molecules. For the activation of T cells, 1000 to 1500 T cell receptors are needed.
2. CD4 T cell activation stimulates various functions such as proliferation, effector functions or death, depending on the intensity of tcr signal. Function of CD 4 cells are important for the regulation of immune system processes. Through its activation, it leads to activation of cell mediated immune response through the cation of cytotoxic T cells (CD8), it also increases antibody responses.
3. Th1 cells necessary for host defence mechanisms, interleukin 12 and interferons gamma are needed for the activation of th1 cells, which in turn express STAT 6 and GATA 3 and that will get differentiated into th2 cells.