Aberrant Expansion and Function of Follicular Helper T Cell Subsets in IgG4-Related Disease.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:To determine the number and function of follicular helper T (Tfh) cell subsets in IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). METHODS:Mononuclear cells from the peripheral blood and involved tissue of patients with IgG4-RD were assessed for Tfh cells and their subsets, and levels of B cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl-6), B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 (BLIMP-1), and interleukin-21 (IL-21) messenger RNA (mRNA). Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence techniques were used to assess the involved tissue of patients to determine the location of IL-21, Bcl-6, and CD4+CXCR5+ Tfh cells. Furthermore, the ability of circulating Tfh (cTfh) cell subsets to induce B cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation and to produce IgG4 was explored in cell cocultures in vitro. RESULTS:Frequencies of cT

SUBMITTER: Chen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6220938 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature