Functional and epigenetic studies reveal multistep differentiation and plasticity of in vitro and in vivo follicular T helper cells.

ABSTRACT: Follicular T helper cells (Tfh) are critical for providing help to B cells for germinal center (GC) formation. Mutations affecting SAP prevent GC formation due to defective T:B cell interactions, yet effects on Tfh cell differentiation remain unclear. We describe the in vitro differentiation of functionally competent “Tfh-like” cells that expressed IL-21, Tfh markers, and Bcl6, and rescued GC formation in SAP-deficient hosts substantially better than other T helper (Th) cells. SAP-deficient Tfh-like cells appeared virtually indistinguishable from wildtype, yet failed to support GCs in vivo. Interestingly, both Tfh-like and in vivo-derived Tfh cells could produce effector cytokines in response to polarizing conditions. Moreover, other Th cell populations could be reprogrammed to obtain Tfh

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

SUBMITTER: abdel Elkahloun 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-32624 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress