CD4+ T-helper cell differentiation
CD4+ T-helper cell differentiation. After activation, a naive CD4 T cell reads the local cytokine milieu and commits to one of several helper lineages — Th1, Th2, Th17, iTreg or Tfh — each defined by a polarising cytokine, a STAT, a master transcription factor and a signature cytokine output. Click any protein for the matching Assay Genie In Vivo functional-grade antibody or ELISA kit.
A naive CD4 T cell is activated by antigen (TCR/CD3) plus co-stimulation (CD28) and, driven by IL-2, proliferates. The cytokines present at that moment then determine its helper lineage. Each fate is a four-step logic: a polarising cytokine → a STAT → a lineage-defining master transcription factor → a signature effector cytokine.
Th1 (IL-12 → STAT4 → T-bet → IFN-γ) fights intracellular pathogens; Th2 (IL-4 → STAT6 → GATA3 → IL-4/5/13) handles helminths and allergy; Th17 (IL-6 + TGF-β → STAT3 → RORγt → IL-17/22) defends mucosal barriers and drives autoimmunity; iTreg (TGF-β + IL-2 → STAT5 → FOXP3 → IL-10/TGF-β) enforces tolerance; and Tfh (IL-6 + IL-21 → STAT3 → BCL6 → IL-21) provides B-cell help in the germinal centre. Note the reciprocal Th17/iTreg switch: TGF-β alone favours iTreg, but with IL-6 it drives Th17.
Assay Genie In Vivo functional-grade antibodies neutralise or skew these programmes — anti-IFN-γ, anti-IL-4, anti-IL-2, anti-IL-10 and anti-TGF-β — while the STATs, master transcription factors and remaining cytokines are covered by ELISA kits. For research use only; not for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Mouse targets shown.
Every protein node links to a product: In Vivo antibodies for the key cytokines; STATs, master transcription factors and other cytokines open the matching ELISA kit.