[Effector function plasticity of T helper lymphocytes].

T helper (Th) cells are grouped into functionally different subsets (considered hitherto distinct and stable) according to their cytokine production. However, a number of recent findings show a much higher degree of Th cell plasticity and interconvertibility than previously assumed. Therefore, Th effector functions might be subject to therapeutic modulation even in late stages of immunopathological diseases.