Naïve CD4+ T cells polarize to various subsets depending on the environment at the time of activation. The differentiation of naïve CD4+ T cells to various effector subsets can be achieved in vitro through the addition of T cell receptor stimuli and specific cytokine signals.
Flaherty, S., Reynolds, J. M. Mouse Naïve CD4+ T Cell Isolation and In vitro Differentiation into T Cell Subsets. J. Vis. Exp. (98), e52739, doi:10.3791/52739 (2015).