Cited by 431T-cell and B-cell ImmunologyPsoriasis: Treatment and PathogenesisImmunotherapy and Immune Responses

CD4 CTL, a cytotoxic subset of CD4(+) T cells, their differentiation and function

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Takeuchi, Arata, Saito, Takashi·2017·Frontiers in Immunology

Abstract

CD4+ T cells with cytotoxic activity (CD4 CTL) have been observed in a variety of immune responses. These cells are characterized by their ability to secrete granzyme B and perforin, and to kill the target cells in an MHC class II-restricted fashion. Although CD4 CTLs were once thought to be an in vitro artifact associated with long term culturing, they have since been identified in vivo and shown to play important roles in antiviral and antitumor immunity, as well as in inflammation. Functional characterization of CD4 CTL suggests their potential significance for therapeutic purposes. However, in order to develop effective CD4 CTL therapy it is necessary to understand the differentiation and generation of these cells. Although the mechanisms regulating development of various CD4+ Th subsets have been clarified in terms of the cytokine and transcription factor requirement, the CD4 CTL differentiation mechanism remains elusive. These cells are thought to be most closely related to Th1 cells secreting IFNγ, and regulated by Eomesodermin (Eomes) and/or T-bet transcription factors for their differentiation. However, our studies and those of others have identified CD4 CTLs within other CD4+ T cell subsets, including naïve T cells. We have identified CRTAM as a marker of CD4 CTL and, by using this marker, we detected a subset of naïve T cells that have the potential to differentiate into CD4 CTL. CD4 CTL develop at sites of infections as well as inflammation. In this review, we summarize recent findings about the generation of CD4 CTL, and propose a model with several differentiation pathways.

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Authors
Takeuchi, A., & Saito, T.
Affiliations
RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (JP)
Corresponding author
Saito, Takashi
Venue
Frontiers in Immunology
Published
2017-02-23
Volume
8
Pages
194-194
ISSN
1664-3224 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2589191322
Cited by
431
References
69
Citations by year
2026: 22 · 2025: 38 · 2024: 56 · 2023: 61 · 2022: 66 · 2021: 67 · 2020: 43 · 2019: 33 · 2018: 38 · 2017: 7
FWCI
3.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Frontiers in Immunology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (23790551 and 24229004)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › T-cell and B-cell Immunology
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Psoriasis: Treatment and Pathogenesis
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immunotherapy and Immune Responses
Keywords
cytotoxic CD4+ T cells, CD4+ T cell differentiation, granzyme B, perforin, MHC class II restriction, CRTAM, naive T cells, Th1 cells, Eomesodermin, T-bet, antiviral immunity, antitumor immunity, inflammation, T cell subsets

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