FUNCTIONAL DIVERSITY OF HELPER T-LYMPHOCYTES

The existence of subsets of CD4(+) helper T lymphocytes that differ in their cytokine secretion patterns and effector functions provides a f ramework for understanding the heterogeneity of normal and pathologica l immune responses. Defining the cellular and molecular mechanisms of helper-T-cell differentiation should lead to rational strategies for m anipulating immune responses for prophylaxis and therapy.