Molecular Basis and Role of Differential Cytokine Production in T Helper Cell Subsets in Immunologic Disease

T cells mediate a wide range of immunologic functions including the capacity to help B cells develop into antibody-producing cells, the capacity to increase the microbicidal action of monocytes, and the mobilization of the immune response.1 These effects depend on the expression of specific cell surface molecules known as T cell receptors, which recognize antigen in the presence of major histocompatability molecules on the surface of antigen presenting cells. 2