Th2-like T Follicular Helper Cells Promote Functional Antibody Production during Plasmodium falciparum Infection.

ABSTRACT: CD4⁺ T follicular helper cells (Tfh) are key drivers of antibody development. During Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children, the activation of Tfh is restricted to the Th1 subset and not associated with antibody levels. To identify Tfh subsets that are associated with antibody development in malaria, we assess Tfh and antibodies longitudinally in human volunteers with experimental P. falciparum infection. Tfh cells activate during infection, with distinct dynamics in different Tfh subsets. Th2-Tfh cells activate early, during peak infection, while Th1-Tfh cells activate 1 week after peak infection and treatment. Th2-Tfh cell activation is associated with the functional breadth and magnitude of parasite antibodies. In contrast, Th1-Tfh activation is not associate

SUBMITTER: Chan JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7762767 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature