Department of Biochemistry, WHO Immunology Research and Training Center, University of Lausanne, Chemin Des Boveresses 155, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland.
Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. 2012;360:115-34. doi: 10.1007/82_2012_227.
CD4⁺ T helper cells are playing critical roles in host defense to pathogens and in the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Naïve CD4⁺T cells, upon antigen-specific recognition, receive signals to differentiate into distinct effector T helper cell subsets characterized by their pattern of cytokine production and specific immune functions. A tight balance between these different subsets ensures proper control of the immune response. There is increasing evidence revealing an important role for Notch signaling in the regulation of CD4⁺T helper cell differentiation or function in the periphery. However, the exact mechanisms involved remain unclear and appear contradictory. In this review, we summarize current knowledge and discuss recent advances in the field to reconcile different views on the role of Notch signaling in the differentiation of functional T helper subsets.
CD4⁺T 辅助细胞在宿主防御病原体和维持免疫稳态方面发挥着关键作用。幼稚 CD4⁺T 细胞在抗原特异性识别后，接收到信号分化为不同的效应 T 辅助细胞亚群，其特征是细胞因子产生模式和特定的免疫功能。这些不同亚群之间的紧密平衡确保了对免疫反应的适当控制。越来越多的证据表明 Notch 信号在调节外周 CD4⁺T 辅助细胞分化或功能中起着重要作用。然而，涉及的确切机制仍不清楚，并且似乎相互矛盾。在这篇综述中，我们总结了当前的知识，并讨论了该领域的最新进展，以协调 Notch 信号在功能性 T 辅助细胞亚群分化中的作用的不同观点。
