| Category | Th1 cells | Th2 cells | Remarks |
| Primary Function | Cell-mediated immunity | Humoral immunity (antibody production) | These represent distinct branches of the adaptive immune response. |
| Target Pathogens | Intracellular pathogens (viruses, bacteria, protozoa) | Extracellular parasites (helminths) | Their specialization dictates the type of immune response mounted. |
| Key Cytokines | IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2 | IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 | Cytokine profiles drive the specific functions of each T helper subset. |
| Immune Response | Macrophage activation, cytotoxic T cell responses, inflammation | Antibody production (especially IgE), eosinophil activation, allergic responses | The resulting immune actions are tailored to the type of threat encountered. |
