J Pediatr Infect Dis 2017; 12(03): 147-156
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1602852
Review Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Biology of T Helper Cells and Their Role in Neonatal Infection

Authors

  • Mohammed Abdulmageed

    1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
  • Said A. Omar

    1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
  • B. V. Madhukar

    1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
Further Information

Publication History

08 December 2016

26 December 2016

Publication Date:
04 June 2017 (online)

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Abstract

T lymphocytes play a central role in the adaptive immune system of the body to provide protection and surveillance against infections. Precursors of T cells begin their journey in the bone marrow and reach the thymus where they mature into naive T cells through a series of transitionary stages and interaction with thymic epithelial cells in various regions of the thymus to emerge as single-positive CD4+ or CD8+ T lymphocytes. The CD4+ naive T cells leave thymus and migrate to the peripheral lymphatic tissue for further differentiation into various subsets as a consequence of interaction with cytokines and altered gene regulation by specific transcription factors. This review summarized the intrathymic T-cell biology and various subsets of T cells, their characteristic cytokine production, and their role in neonatal infections.