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Review
. 2023 Mar 14;56(3):475-484.
doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.02.010.

Toward a general model of CD4+ T cell subset specification and memory cell formation

Kevin C Osum  1 , Marc K Jenkins  2
Affiliations
Review

Toward a general model of CD4+ T cell subset specification and memory cell formation

Kevin C Osum et al. Immunity. .

Abstract

In the past few decades, a number of transformative discoveries have been made regarding memory CD8+ T cell biology; meanwhile, the CD4+ T cell field has lagged behind this progress. This perspective focuses on CD4+ helper T (Th) cell subset specification and memory cell formation. Here, we argue that the sheer number of Th effector and memory cell subsets and a focus on their differences have been a barrier to a general model of CD4+ memory T cell formation that applies to all immune responses. We highlight a bifurcation model that relies on an IL-2 signal-dependent switch as an explanation for the balanced production of diverse Th memory cells that participate in cell-mediated or humoral immunity in most contexts.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Schematic version of the bifurcation theory of Th subset and memory cell formation.
See text for details. EFF = effector, MEM = memory.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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