Control of Germinal Center Localization and Lineage Stability of Follicular Regulatory T Cells by the Blimp1 Transcription Factor.

ABSTRACT: Follicular regulatory T (T_FR) cells are a specialized suppressive subset that controls the germinal center (GC) response and maintains humoral self-tolerance. The mechanisms that maintain T_FR lineage identity and suppressive activity remain largely unknown. Here, we show that expression of Blimp1 by FoxP3⁺ T_FR cells is essential for T_FR lineage stability, entry into the GC, and expression of regulatory activity. Deletion of Blimp1 in T_FR cells reduced FoxP3 and CTLA-4 expression and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines and spontaneous production of autoantibodies, including elevated IgE. Maintenance of T_FR stability reflected Blimp1-dependent repression of the IL-23R-STAT3 axis and activation of the CD25-STAT5 pat

SUBMITTER: Shen E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6897316 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature