The unique features of follicular T cell subsets.
- Author(s)
- Tellier, J; Nutt, SL;
- Details
- Publication Year 2013-12,Volume 70,Issue #24,Page 4771-4784
- Journal Title
- Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS
- Publication Type
- Journal Article
- Abstract
- The germinal center (GC) reaction is critical for humoral immunity, but also contributes adversely to a variety of autoimmune diseases. While the major protective function of GCs is mediated by plasma cells and memory B cells, follicular helper T (TFH) cells represent a specialized T cell subset that provides essential help to the antigen-specific B cells in the form of membrane-bound ligands and secreted factors such as IL-21. Recent studies have revealed that TFH cells are capable of considerable functional diversity as well as possessing the ability to form memory cells. The molecular basis of this plasticity and heterogeneity is only now emerging. It has also become apparent that several other populations of follicular T cells exist, including natural killer T cells and regulatory T cells. In this review we will discuss the function of follicular T cells and interaction of these populations within the GC response.
- Publisher
- Springer
- Keywords
- Germinal center ; Follicular helper T cell ; IL-21 ; Immune response ; Antibody production
- Research Division(s)
- Molecular Immunology
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-013-1420-3
- Terms of Use/Rights Notice
- © Springer, Part of Springer Science+Business Media
Creation Date: 2013-12-01 12:00:00