Human Extrafollicular CD4+ T Helper Cells Help Memory B Cells Produce Immunoglobulins
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ABSTRACT: Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells are necessary for germinal center B cell maturation during primary immune responses; however, the T cells that promote humoral recall responses via memory B cells are less well defined. We herein characterize a human tonsillar CD4+ T cell subset with this function. These cells are similar to Tfh cells in terms of expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR5 and the inhibitory receptor PD-1, interleukin (IL)-21 secretion, and expression of the transcription factor BCL6; however, unlike Tfh cells that are located within the B cell follicle and germinal center, they reside at the border of the T cell zone and the B cell follicle in proximity to memory B cells, a position dictated by their unique chemokine receptor expression. They promote memory B cells to produce antibodies via CD40 ligand, IL-10, and IL-21. Our results reveal a unique extrafollicular CD4+ T cell subset in human tonsils, which specialize in promoting T cell-dependent humoral recall responses.
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE52156 | GEO | 2018/06/29
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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