What are T helper cells ?

T helper cells (Th cells) are a crucial subset of CD4+ T lymphocytes that orchestrate immune responses. These cells activate other immune cells, such as B cells, macrophages, and cytotoxic T cells, by releasing cytokines and providing essential signals. Their regulation is vital for maintaining immune balance and protecting the body from infections and diseases.

Why Choose AnyGenes^® for T Helper Cell Research?

At AnyGenes^®, we provide advanced qPCR arrays specifically designed to study helper T lymphocytes. Our cutting-edge solutions empower researchers to:

Analyze the differentiation pathways of helper T lymphocytes subsets like Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg.
Study key cytokines, transcription factors, and markers involved in Th cell regulation.
Investigate the role of helper T lymphocytes in autoimmune diseases, cancer, and chronic inflammation.

Discover our advanced qPCR arrays for Helper T Lymphocytes research.

CD4+ T cells development and their functional subsets in immunity.

Types of T helper cells

Historically, four main types of helper T lymphocytes have been identified:

Th1 Cells: Primarily involved in cell-mediated immunity, they produce cytokines such as IFN-γ, which activate macrophages and cytotoxic T cells.
Th2 Cells: These cells promote humoral immunity by stimulating B cells to produce antibodies, particularly in response to extracellular pathogens. Key cytokines: IL-4, IL-5, IL-13.
Th17 Cells: Known for their role in autoimmune diseases, Th17 cells produce IL-17 and are involved in inflammatory responses.
Regulatory T Cells (Tregs): These cells maintain immune tolerance and prevent autoimmune reactions. Key cytokine: IL-10.
Tfh Cells (Follicular Helper T Cells): Facilitate B cell maturation and antibody production.

Helper T lymphocytes exhibit remarkable plasticity, meaning they can adapt and transition between subsets based on the cytokine environment and immunological context. For example:

Th1 and Th17 cells may convert to Tregs under specific conditions to prevent overactive inflammation.
Th2 cells can switch to Th1-like cells during chronic infections.

Helper T lymphocytes activation mechanisms

Helper T lymphocytes (CD4+ T cells) are activated through interactions with antigen-presenting cells (APCs) like dendritic cells, macrophages, or B cells.

Antigen Presentation: APCs display antigens on MHC class II molecules, which bind to the T cell receptor (TCR) on helper T lymphocytes.
Co-Stimulation: Co-stimulatory signals, such as CD80/CD86 on APCs binding to CD28 on T cells, are crucial for activation. Without co-stimulation, T cells may become anergic (inactive).
Cytokine Influence: The cytokine environment determines helper T lymphocytes differentiation (e.g., Th1, Th2, Th17, Treg).
Effector Function: Activated T cells release cytokines to regulate immune responses, including activating macrophages, stimulating B cells, and recruiting neutrophils.
Proliferation: Activated T cells produce IL-2, a key cytokine that drives their own proliferation (autocrine signaling).
Regulation: Treg cells suppress excessive immune responses, maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmunity.

Role in diseases

Helper T lymphocytes are crucial in maintaining immune balance, but dysregulation can contribute to:

Autoimmune Diseases: Overactive Th1 or Th17 responses (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis).
Allergic Diseases: Excessive Th2 responses drive asthma, eczema, and food allergies.
Cancer: Tumors may exploit Treg cells to suppress anti-tumor immunity.
Infections: Impaired Th1 or Th17 responses increase vulnerability to pathogens.

Markers and cytokines of t helper subsets

Each subset of helper T lymphocytes expresses distinct markers and secretes characteristic cytokines:

Th1: IFN-γ, TNF-α (marker: T-bet transcription factor).
Th2: IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 (marker: GATA3 transcription factor).
Th17: IL-17A, IL-21, IL-22 (marker: RORγt transcription factor).
Treg: IL-10, TGF-β (marker: FoxP3 transcription factor).
Tfh: IL-21, CXCL13 (marker: BCL6 transcription factor).

Analyze your pathway data with AnyGenes® software

Scientific data is only as powerful as the analysis behind it.

AnyGenes® provides a dedicated data analysis tool specifically developed for SignArrays® pathway panels.

What does it allow you to do?

Automated ΔCq calculation
Normalization with selected housekeeping genes
Comparison of up to 10 experimental conditions
Generation of descriptive statistics
Publication-ready graphs
Exportable tables for manuscripts and presentations

Developed on Excel (compatible with 2007+), the software is user-friendly and requires no advanced bioinformatics skills.

Customize your own signaling pathways (SignArrays®) with the factors of your choice!
Simply download and complete our Personalized SignArrays® information file and send it at [email protected] to initiate your project.

T helper cells signaling pathway biomarker list

You can check the biomarker list included in this pathway, see below:

Species : Homo sapiens (human)

Human Signaling Pathways

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
T Helper Cells Signaling Pathway	THS1H1	Download biomarker list

Species : Mus musculus (mouse)

Mouse Signaling Pathways

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
T Helper Cells Signaling Pathway	THS1M1	Download biomarker list

Species : Rattus norvegicus (rat)

Rat Signaling Pathways

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
T Helper Cells Signaling Pathway	*******	Biomarker list in progress.

Species : Sus Scrofa (Pig)

Pig T Helper Cells Signaling Pathway

Signaling Pathways	Product ref	Informations
T Helper Cells Signaling Pathway	*******	Biomarker list in progress.

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Bibliography

1. Wan Z, et al. Regulatory T cells and T helper 17 cells in viral infection. Scand J Immunol. (2020);91(5):e12873.

2. Yasuda K, et al. The pathogenicity of Th17 cells in autoimmune diseases. Semin Immunopathol. (2019);41(3):283-297.

3. Kunkl M, et al. T Helper Cells: The Modulators of Inflammation in Multiple Sclerosis. Cells. (2020);9(2):482.

4. Basu A, et al. Differentiation and Regulation of T H Cells: A Balancing Act for Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol. (2021);12:669474.

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