CD4: a vital player in the teleost fish immune system

Vet Res. 2019 Jan 7;50(1):1. doi: 10.1186/s13567-018-0620-0.

Abstract

CD4 is a nonpolymorphic transmembrane glycoprotein molecule that is expressed on the surface of T-helper cells and plays an essential role in the immune response. It functions as a coreceptor with the T-cell receptor by binding to major histocompatibility complex class II on the surface of dendritic cells that present antigens. CD4+ T cells hold a key position in coordinating the immune system through production of several cytokines after activation and differentiation. The CD4+ T helper subtypes (T-helper 1, T-helper 2, T-helper 17, T-helper 9, and regulatory-T cells) perform different immune functions subsequent to their differentiation from the naive T cells. Different types of CD4+ T cells require different cytokines such as drivers and effectors, as well as master transcription factors for their activation. Fish cells that express CD4-related genes are activated in the presence of a pathogen and release cytokines against the pathogen. This review highlights the types of CD4+ T cells in fish and describes their direct role in cell-mediated and humoral immunity for protection against the intracellular bacterial as well as viral infections in fish.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Infections / immunology
  • Bacterial Infections / veterinary
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Fish Diseases / immunology*
  • Fishes / immunology*
  • Immunity, Cellular*
  • Immunity, Humoral*
  • Virus Diseases / immunology
  • Virus Diseases / veterinary