Identification of a T follicular helper cell subset that drives anaphylactic IgE.

ABSTRACT: Cross-linking of high-affinity immunoglobulin E (IgE) results in the life-threatening allergic reaction anaphylaxis. Yet the cellular mechanisms that induce B cells to produce IgE in response to allergens remain poorly understood. T follicular helper (T_FH) cells direct the affinity and isotype of antibodies produced by B cells. Although T_FH cell-derived interleukin-4 (IL-4) is necessary for IgE production, it is not sufficient. We report a rare population of IL-13-producing T_FH cells present in mice and humans with IgE to allergens, but not when allergen-specific IgE was absent or only low-affinity. These "T_FH13" cells have an unusual cytokine profile (IL-13^hiIL-4^hiIL-5^hiIL-21^lo) and coexpress the trans

SUBMITTER: Gowthaman U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6901029 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature