BAFF promotes follicular helper T cell development and germinal center formation through BR3 signal.

ABSTRACT: T follicular helper (Tfh) cells represent an important subset of CD4+ T cells that is crucial to the maturation and differentiation of B cells and the production of high-affinity antibodies. Because B cell activating-factor (BAFF), a vital B cell survival factor, is also crucial to B cell maturation and differentiation, we assessed the effects of BAFF on Tfh cell development and function. We demonstrated that deficiency of BAFF, but not of APRIL, markedly inhibited Tfh cell development, germinal center (GC) formation, and antigen-specific antibody production. The promoting effect of BAFF on Tfh cell development was dependent on expression of BR3 on T cells, and its promoting effect on GC formation was dependent on expression of BR3 on both T cells and B cells. BAFF directly promoted expres

SUBMITTER: Chen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11601555 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature