CD4+ T helper 2 lymphocyte (Th2 cell)

CD4+ T helper 2 (Th2) lymphocytes are a specialized subset of CD4+ T cells that play a central role in the adaptive immune system by coordinating the "Type 2" immune response (StatPearls, 2024). They are characterized by the expression of the master transcription factor GATA3 and the secretion of signature cytokines, including interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, and IL-13 (NCBI, 2023). These cells are essential for defending the host against extracellular parasites, such as helminths, and for promoting B cell antibody class switching to IgE (Wikipedia, 2022). However, dysregulated or overactive Th2 responses are primary drivers of allergic diseases, including asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis (Frontiers in Immunology, 2023). Therapeutic strategies targeting Th2-mediated pathways often involve monoclonal antibodies that neutralize specific cytokines or block their receptors, such as dupilumab (targeting IL-4Ra) and mepolizumab (targeting IL-5), to alleviate chronic inflammation (NIH, 2023). In addition to their role in allergy, Th2 cells contribute to tissue repair and the recruitment of eosinophils and mast cells to sites of inflammation (NCBI, 2023). The differentiation of these cells from naive CD4+ T cells is driven by IL-4 signaling and the subsequent activation of the STAT6 pathway (StatPearls, 2024). While targeting Th2 pathways is highly effective for chronic inflammatory conditions, it may pose a risk of impaired immunity against parasitic infections (NIH, 2023). Monitoring patient response to these therapies often involves measuring blood eosinophil counts or fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels as biomarkers of Th2 activity (Frontiers in Immunology, 2023).

Other names

T helper 2 cellTh2 cellType 2 helper T cellCD4+ Th2 cell

Modulation of Th2-mediated inflammation through the inhibition of signature cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), their receptors, or upstream activators like TSLP and IgE.