L18- effector functions of T cells

Question 1

What causes T cells to begin to differentiate?

Answer 1

When the T cell binds to an antigen presented by an MHC molecule, cytokines determine which cell it will differentiate into.

Question 2

What are the main T cell effector types?

Answer 2

CD8 cytotoxic T cells
CD4 subsets:
Th1
Th2
Th17
TFH
Treg

Question 3

How do cytokines affect which lineage T cells follow?

Answer 3

They bind to cytokine receptors that result in the up-regulation of specific transcription factors

Question 4

What stimulates Th1 production and what is its effector function?

Answer 4

Th1 cells require IL-12 to be produced, they activate macrophages

Question 5

What stimulates Th2 production and what is its effector function?

Answer 5

Th2 cells require IL-4 to be produced, they provide immunity against large extracellular helminths such as worms. They do this through class switching of B cells to IgE.

Question 6

What stimulates Th17 production and what is its effector function?

Answer 6

Complex microenvironment of IL-6, IL-1 beta and TGF beta. These T cells play an important role in protection against fungi and some bacteria.

Question 7

What stimulates TFH production and what is its effector function?

Answer 7

T follicular helper cells provide survival signals for antigen specific B cells and direct class switching.

Question 8

What stimulates Treg production and what is its effector function?

Answer 8

T regulatory cells make sure immune responses are regulated. They restrict co-stimulatory molecules and release regulatory cytokines