Memory Phenotype Tfh Cells Develop Without Overt Infection and Support Germinal Center Formation and B Cell Responses to Viral Infection.

ABSTRACT: Pathogen-induced memory Tfh cells are important to maintain high-affinity antibodies against pathogens. We have now discovered Tfh cells with a similar memory phenotype (MP) that develop in pathogen-free conditions. These MP Tfh cells are similar to pathogen-induced memory Tfh in both phenotype and function. They express FR4 and Egr2, which are both found in pathogen-induced memory Tfh cells. FR4⁺Egr2⁺ CD4 MP cells express genes involved in the development of Tfh cells and homeostatic proliferation, as well as key metabolic pathways discovered in pathogen-induced memory Tfh cells. MP Tfh cells can support B cell-mediated IgG production in vitro and induce germinal center formation and anti-viral antibodies in response to virus infection. These mouse MP Tfh cells share

SUBMITTER: Symonds ALJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11739680 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature