Memory CD4 T cells that express CXCR5 provide accelerated help to B cells

MKL MacLeod, A David, AS McKee… - The Journal of …, 2011 - journals.aai.org
MKL MacLeod, A David, AS McKee, F Crawford, JW Kappler, P Marrack
The Journal of Immunology, 2011journals.aai.org
CD4 T cell help for B cells is critical for effective Ab responses. Although many of the
molecules involved in helper functions of naive CD4 T cells have been characterized, much
less is known about the helper capabilities of memory CD4 T cells, an important
consideration for the design of vaccines that aim to prime protective memory CD4 T cells. In
this study, we demonstrate that memory CD4 T cells enable B cells to expand more rapidly
and class switch earlier than do primary responding CD4 T cells. This accelerated response …
Abstract
CD4 T cell help for B cells is critical for effective Ab responses. Although many of the molecules involved in helper functions of naive CD4 T cells have been characterized, much less is known about the helper capabilities of memory CD4 T cells, an important consideration for the design of vaccines that aim to prime protective memory CD4 T cells. In this study, we demonstrate that memory CD4 T cells enable B cells to expand more rapidly and class switch earlier than do primary responding CD4 T cells. This accelerated response does not require large numbers of memory cells, and similar numbers of primary responding cells provide less effective help than do memory cells. However, only memory CD4 T cells that express the B cell follicle homing molecule, CXCR5, are able to accelerate the response, suggesting that the rapidity of the Ab response depends on the ability of CD4 memory T cells to migrate quickly toward B cells.
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