Generation of T follicular helper cells in vitro: requirement for B-cell receptor cross-linking and cognate B- and T-cell interaction.

ABSTRACT: The minimum requirements for in vitro modelling of natural CD4⁺ T-cell differentiation into T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are still under investigation. We co-cultured wild-type and T-cell receptor (TCR) transgenic CD4⁺ T cells from naive mice with dendritic cells and B-cell receptor (BCR) transgenic B cells in the presence of HIV-derived virus-like particles containing matched B-cell and T-cell epitopes. This co-culturing induced co-expression of Tfh-master regulator transcription factor BCL-6 and CXCR5 in up to 10% of the wild-type and up to 40% of the TCR-transgenic CD4⁺ T cells. Phenotypic markers, production of interleukin-21 and isotype switching of the B cells to IgG1 further indicated a helper function of the induced Tfh cells in vitro. Dendritic

SUBMITTER: Kolenbrander A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5765376 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature