Murine T-Helper Cell Differentiation and Plasticity

CD4(+) T helper (T-H) cells are key mediators of immunity, and according to their effector functions, they can be divided into different subsets, namely, T(H)1, T(H)2, T(H)17, and T(H)22. In order to maintain systemic homeostasis and peripheral tolerance, CD4(+) T-H cells are counterbalanced by CD4(+) T cells with regulatory properties, namely, Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Foxp3(+)T(REG)) and T(R)1 cells. Here, we describe how to in vitro differentiate murine naive CD4(+) T cells toward helper (T(H)1, T(H)2, T(H)17, and T(H)22) and regulatory (Foxp3(+)T(REG) and T(R)1) cells.