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Effector T cell plasticity: flexibility in the face of changing circumstances

Nature Immunology volume 11, pages 674–680 (2010)Cite this article

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Abstract

As more states of CD4 T cell differentiation are uncovered, their flexibility is also beginning to be recognized. Components that control the plasticity of CD4 T cell populations include cellular conditions, clonality, transcriptional circuitry and chromatin modifications. Appearance of cellular flexibility may arise from truly flexible genetic programs or, alternatively, from heterogeneous populations. New tools will be needed to define the rules that allow or prohibit cellular transitions.

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Figure 1: Reinforcement and destabilization of CD4+ T cell subsets.
Figure 2: Transitions of CD4+ T cell subsets.
Figure 3: Transcriptional circuits can stabilize or destabilize CD4+ T cell subsets.
Figure 4: Possible transcription factor interactions regulating intermediate CD4+ T cell transitions.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge T. Murphy for discussion and careful reading of the manuscript.

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  1. Department of Pathology & Immunology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

    Kenneth M Murphy

  2. Division of Molecular Immunology, Medical Research Council National Institute for Medical Research, London, UK

    Brigitta Stockinger

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Murphy, K., Stockinger, B. Effector T cell plasticity: flexibility in the face of changing circumstances. Nat Immunol 11, 674–680 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/ni.1899

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