T-helper cell (Th cell) (Th cell)

T-helper cells, also known as CD4+ T cells, are a critical subpopulation of lymphocytes that play a central role in orchestrating the adaptive immune response by secreting cytokines (StatPearls, 2023). They are characterized by the expression of the CD4 surface protein, which acts as a co-receptor for the T-cell receptor (TCR) during antigen recognition (Wikipedia, 2024). These cells are essential for B cell activation, the maturation of cytotoxic T cells, and the recruitment of macrophages to sites of infection (NIH, 2023). In disease states, T-helper cells are the primary target of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which leads to their progressive depletion and the onset of AIDS (PubMed, 2022). Conversely, dysregulated T-helper cell response is a key driver of autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis (Nature Reviews Immunology, 2021). Pharmacological modulation of these cells involves immunosuppressants like cyclosporine, which inhibits IL-2 production, and biologics like ibalizumab, which blocks HIV entry by binding to the CD4 receptor (PubChem, 2024).

Other names

CD4+ T cellHelper T lymphocyteCD4-positive T-lymphocyte

Inhibition of T-cell activation, cytokine production blockade, and viral entry inhibition