Th2-like CD8 T cells: Their role in protection against infectious diseases

1994 
Abstract The expression of cytolytic activity and production of interferon γ (IFN-γ) by CD8 + T cells is thought to play a fundamental role in protection against infection by viruses and intracellular parasites. Francois Erard and Graham Le Gros have recently shown that CD8 + T cells activated in the presence of interleukin 4 (IL-4) can switch development to a CD8 − CD4 − Th2-like phenotype that is not cytolytic and that does not produce IFN-γ. Here they speculate on whether this IL-4-induced switch is used by the host to make a more-effective response against parasite invasion, or i f it is a host mechanism used by the parasite to evade protective CD8 + T-cell responses.
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