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This commentary aims to clarify the functions of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in immune responses.

August 12, 2000BMJ563 citationsOpen Access

Science commentary: Th1 and Th2 responses: what are they?

Key Points

This commentary aims to clarify the functions of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in immune responses.
Describes the classification of cytokines into proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory groups.
Explains the role of T lymphocytes in cytokine production and immune response.
Discusses the identification of T lymphocyte subsets based on CD4 and CD8 surface markers.
Cytokines act as hormonal messengers in the immune system, influencing various responses.
T lymphocytes produce cytokines and recognize both foreign pathogens and normal tissue in autoimmune conditions.

Abstract

Cytokines are the hormonal messengers responsible for most of the biological effects in the immune system, such as cell mediated immunity and allergic type responses. Although they are numerous, cytokines can be functionally divided into two groups: those that are proinflammatory and those that are essentially anti-inflammatory but that promote allergic responses. T lymphocytes are a major source of cytokines. These cells bear antigen specific receptors on their cell surface to allow recognition of foreign pathogens. They can also recognise normal tissue during episodes of autoimmune diseases. There are two main subsets of T lymphocytes, distinguished by the presence of cell surface molecules known as CD4 and CD8. T lymphocytes expressing CD4 …

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