Follicular B helper T cells in antibody responses and autoimmunity

CG Vinuesa, SG Tangye, B Moser… - Nature reviews …, 2005 - nature.com
Nature reviews immunology, 2005nature.com
T-cell help for B cells is essential for high-affinity antibody responses and B-cell memory.
Recently, the identity of a discrete follicular population of T cells that has a crucial role in this
process has become clearer. Similar to primed CD4+ T cells in the tonsils and memory
CD4+ T cells in the peripheral blood, this follicular population of T cells expresses CXC-
chemokine receptor 5 (CXCR5). Owing to their distinct homing preferences and helper
function, these T cells differ from T helper 1 and T helper 2 cells and have been denoted …
Abstract
T-cell help for B cells is essential for high-affinity antibody responses and B-cell memory. Recently, the identity of a discrete follicular population of T cells that has a crucial role in this process has become clearer. Similar to primed CD4+ T cells in the tonsils and memory CD4+ T cells in the peripheral blood, this follicular population of T cells expresses CXC-chemokine receptor 5 (CXCR5). Owing to their distinct homing preferences and helper function, these T cells differ from T helper 1 and T helper 2 cells and have been denoted follicular B helper T cells. Here, we outline the central role of this subset in normal and pathological immune responses.
nature.com