Role of Co-stimulatory Molecules in T Helper Cell Differentiation

CD4+ T cells play a central role in orchestrating the immune response to a variety of pathogens but also regulate autoimmune responses, asthma, allergic responses, as well as tumor immunity. To cover this broad spectrum of responses, naïve CD4+ T cells differentiate into one of several lineages of T helper cells, including Th1, Th2, Th17, and TFH, as defined by their cytokine pattern and function. The fate decision of T helper cell differentiation integrates signals delivered through the T cell receptor, cytokine receptors, and the pattern of co-stimulatory signals received. In this review, we summarize the contribution of co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory receptors to the differentiation and maintenance of T helper cell responses.