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Review
. 2022 Feb:70:101495.
doi: 10.1016/j.trim.2021.101495. Epub 2021 Nov 10.

T helper type (Th1/Th2) responses to SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A (H1N1) virus: From cytokines produced to immune responses

Elahe Aleebrahim-Dehkordi  1 , Bahareh Molavi  2 , Melika Mokhtari  3 , Niloofar Deravi  4 , Mobina Fathi  5 , Tara Fazel  6 , Mehdi Mohebalizadeh  7 , Pooneh Koochaki  8 , Parnian Shobeiri  9 , Ali Hasanpour-Dehkordi  10
Affiliations
Review

T helper type (Th1/Th2) responses to SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A (H1N1) virus: From cytokines produced to immune responses

Elahe Aleebrahim-Dehkordi et al. Transpl Immunol. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

Cytokines produced by T helper cells (Th cells) have essential roles in the body's defense against viruses. Type 1 T helper (Th1) cells are essential for the host defense toward intracellular pathogens while T helper type 2 (Th2) cells are considered to be critical for the helminthic parasites' elimination swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus, a disease led to an epidemic in 2009 and rapidly spread globally via human-to-human transmission. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused a global pandemic in 2020 and is a serious threat to the public health. Pulmonary immunopathology is the leading cause of death during influenza and SARS-CoV-2 epidemics and pandemics. Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 cause high levels of cytokines in the lung. Both inadequate levels and high levels of specific cytokines can have side effects. In this literature review article, we want to compare the Th1 and Th2 cells responses in SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1.

Keywords: Cytokines produced; H1N1; Immune responses; SARS-CoV-2; T helper type; Viral infections.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Immune responses against SARS-CoV-2. In severe disease conditions, Th2 secrete cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-10, which inhibit antiviral responses and delay clearance of the virus. In mild disease conditions, the response of Th1 and the activation of macrophages, Tc, and B cells remove the reservoirs of the virus. In addition to the synergistic effect and activation of macrophages, TNF-α and IFN-γ induce antiviral responses directly through their receptors on the epithelial surfaces of the lung. DC, dendritic cell; MQ, macrophage; Tc, cytotoxic T cell; IFN, interferon; Eos, eosinophil; TCR, T cell receptor; MHC, major histocompatibility complex.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Immune responses against H1N1. T helper cell polarization has a critical role in tissue damage, pathogen removal, and the inflammatory response processing the acute lung injury infection (ALI). TNF-α and IFN-γ induce antiviral responses directly through their receptors on the epithelial surfaces of the lung, and IL-1 increases IgM antibody feedbacks. IL-4 can suppress antiviral immune responses, and IL-5 causes the continuing accumulation of eosinophils in the lungs. Besides, IL-13 can activate NKT, eosinophil, macrophage, and mast cells. All mentioned cells, excluding macrophages, are able to also secrete IL-13, which is in charge of elevating eosinophil infiltration, causing changes to the contractile apparatus of ASM, macrophage polarization, following mucus production, and elevating AHR and goblet cell metaplasia. NKT, natural killer T cell.
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