A distinct subpopulation of CD25 T-follicular regulatory cells localizes in the germinal centers

JB Wing, Y Kitagawa, M Locci… - Proceedings of the …, 2017 - National Acad Sciences
JB Wing, Y Kitagawa, M Locci, H Hume, C Tay, T Morita, Y Kidani, K Matsuda, T Inoue…
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2017National Acad Sciences
T-follicular helper (Tfh) cells differentiate through a multistep process, culminating in
germinal center (GC) localized GC-Tfh cells that provide support to GC-B cells. T-follicular
regulatory (Tfr) cells have critical roles in the control of Tfh cells and GC formation. Although
Tfh-cell differentiation is inhibited by IL-2, regulatory T (Treg) cell differentiation and survival
depend on it. Here, we describe a CD25− subpopulation within both murine and human
PD1+ CXCR5+ Foxp3+ Tfr cells. It is preferentially located in the GC and can be clearly …
T-follicular helper (Tfh) cells differentiate through a multistep process, culminating in germinal center (GC) localized GC-Tfh cells that provide support to GC-B cells. T-follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells have critical roles in the control of Tfh cells and GC formation. Although Tfh-cell differentiation is inhibited by IL-2, regulatory T (Treg) cell differentiation and survival depend on it. Here, we describe a CD25 subpopulation within both murine and human PD1+CXCR5+Foxp3+ Tfr cells. It is preferentially located in the GC and can be clearly differentiated from CD25+ non–GC-Tfr, Tfh, and effector Treg (eTreg) cells by the expression of a wide range of molecules. In comparison to CD25+ Tfr and eTreg cells, CD25 Tfr cells partially down-regulate IL-2–dependent canonical Treg features, but retain suppressive function, while simultaneously up-regulating genes associated with Tfh and GC-Tfh cells. We suggest that, similar to Tfh cells, Tfr cells follow a differentiation pathway generating a mature GC-localized subpopulation, CD25 Tfr cells.
National Acad Sciences