Abstract

A REVIEW ON FACTS OF CD4 CELLS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS AND DIFFERENTIATION

S. Fayaz Ahammad*, A. Ramesh Babu, S.S. Somanathan, S. Mahaboob Basha, D. Ranganayakulu

Abstract

CD4 cells are crucial in achieving a regulated effective immune response to pathogens. CD4 effector T cells, also called helper T (Th) cells, are the functional cells for executing immune functions. Balanced immune responses can only be achieved by proper regulation of the differentiation and function of Th cells. Dysregulated Th cell function often leads to inefficient clearance of pathogens and causes inflammatory diseases and autoimmunity. CD4 cells along with the CD8 cells make up the majority of T-lymphocytes. The cells after being activated and differentiated in to distinct effectors’ subtypes play a major role in mediating immune response through the secretion of specific cytokines. Unlike TH1 and TH2 cells which are considered to be terminally differentiated, TH17 and Treg have shown plasticity, there by suggesting that they are not terminally differentiated. The CD4 cells represent a unique branch of the adaptive immune system that is crucial in achieving a regulated effective immune response to pathogens and their proper functioning is vital for survival.

Keywords: CD4 Cell, Helper T cell, Autoimmunity, Immunization, Inflammatory disease.