Cutting edge: circulating plasmablasts induce the differentiation of human T follicular helper cells via IL-6 production.

ABSTRACT: B cells require CD4(+) T follicular helper (Tfh) cells to progress through the germinal center and provide protective Ab responses. In this article, we reveal a reciprocal interaction whereby circulating human plasmablasts are potent inducers of the Tfh cell-differentiation program, including the expression of their key transcription factor Bcl-6. The markedly increased propensity of plasmablasts, compared with naive B cells, to induce Tfh cell differentiation was due to their increased production of IL-6. Specific targeting of IL-6 using tocilizumab therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis led to a significant reduction in circulating Tfh cell numbers and IL-21 production, which was correlated with reduced plasmablast formation. Our data uncover a positive-feedback loop between circu

SUBMITTER: Chavele KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4356730 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature