T helper 3 cell (Th3)

T helper 3 cells are a subset of CD4+ T lymphocytes with immunoregulatory and immunosuppressive functions. They are primarily induced in the gut by oral antigens through T-cell receptor signaling and act mainly by secreting anti-inflammatory cytokines such as transforming growth factor beta (TGF‑β) and interleukin 10 (IL‑10). These cells help maintain mucosal immune tolerance, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract where exposure to foreign antigens is high. Th3 cells suppress exaggerated inflammatory or autoimmune responses by inhibiting other effector T-cell subsets like Th1 and Th2. They also promote B-cell class switching to IgA, supporting noninflammatory antibody responses[1]. Note: "T helper cell type 3 cytokine production" is not a canonical molecular target but rather describes a functional property of the Th3 immune cell subset—their ability to produce specific cytokines. Therefore, this entry does not correspond to a single molecule or receptor that can be directly targeted therapeutically; it refers instead to an immune process mediated by these cells[1].

Other names

T helper type 3 cellTh3 cellCD4+FOXP3− regulatory T cellCD4+CD25−FOXP3−LAP+ cell