Development and function of follicular helper T cells

作者：Ise Wataru^*

来源：Bioscience Biotechnology and Biochemistry, 2016, 80(1): 1-6.

DOI：10.1080/09168451.2015.1056512

• helper T cell
• follicular helper T cells
• germinal center
• transcription factors
• antibody production

Most currently available vaccines rely on the induction of long-lasting protective humoral immune responses by memory B cells and plasma cells. Antibody responses against most antigens require interactions between antigen-specific B cells and CD4(+) T cells. Follicular helper T cells (T-FH cells) are specialized subset of T cells that provide help to B cells and are essential for germinal center formation, affinity maturation, and the development of high-affinity antibodies. T-FH-cell differentiation is a multistage process involving B-cell lymphoma 6 and other transcription factors, cytokines, and costimulation through inducible costimulator (ICOS) and several other molecules. This article reviews recent advances in our understanding of T-FH cell biology, including their differentiation, transcriptional regulation, and function.

• 出版日期2016-1-2