TH2 cell development and function

T helper 2 (TH2) cells respond to a variety of environmental cues, either directly or indirectly through interaction with cells of the innate immune system. For instance, certain specialized dendritic cells (DCs) promote TH2 cell induction, whereas other DC subsets are suppressive.Epithelial cell-derived cytokines, such as IL-25, IL-33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and IL-4-producing immune cells, such as innate lymphoid cells and basophils, can potentiate TH2 cell responses. However, the relative importance of these innate cell stimuli for TH2 cell development remains to be determined and is likely to be dependent on local environmental cues.TH2 cell differentiation is fundamentally dependent on the mechanistic target of rapamycin-mediated metabolic transition from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis.TH cell subsets are somewhat heterogeneous in terms of their cytokine secretion and transcription factor profiles. Single-cell technologies promise to deliver new insight into how TH cells integrate diverse environmental cues to ensure their adaptability during homeostasis, protective immunity and tissue repair.Our evolving knowledge of TH2 cell differentiation at the molecular and cellular levels has led to the development of novel therapies targeting specific transcription factors and TH2 cell-associated cytokines.