T follicular helper cells transiently unlock a plasticity state in germinal centre B cells during the humoral immune response
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE298426 | GEO | 2025/10/29
REPOSITORIES: GEO
Similar Datasets
Project description:During cellular differentiation, phenotypic plasticity is gradually lost due to the strengthening of epigenetic barriers, although it may be re-acquired upon disease or injury. Here, we report an unprecedented physiological gain of epigenetic plasticity among mature B cells during the humoral immune response. Acquisition of plasticity was strictly dependent on T follicular helper (TFH) cells and restricted to germinal center (GC) but not activated B cells, indicating both non- and cell-autonomous contributions to this phenotype. Importantly, GC plasticity was not dependent on proliferation and could not be solely explained by the activation of MYC programs. Instead, GC plasticity was associated with the reciprocal weakening of B cell identity and the de- repression of progenitor and stem cell-like programs induced by NFκB and other signals, downstream of TFH signaling. Therefore, physiological acquisition of GC B cell plasticity is tightly controlled by the affinity maturation positive selection checkpoint. Notably, Histone 1 loss of function, which results in aberrant stem cell gene reactivation through chromatin decompaction, allowed GC B cells to bypass this gatekeeping mechanism. Finally, patients with Diffuse LargeB Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) that enriched for GC plasticity signatures had significantly worse outcomes, implicating a role for this mechanism in immune regulation and fitness and potential relevance to lymphomagenesis.
2025-10-29 | GSE298425 | GEO
Project description:During cellular differentiation, phenotypic plasticity is gradually lost due to the strengthening of epigenetic barriers, although it may be re-acquired upon disease or injury. Here, we report an unprecedented physiological gain of epigenetic plasticity among mature B cells during the humoral immune response. Acquisition of plasticity was strictly dependent on T follicular helper (TFH) cells and restricted to germinal center (GC) but not activated B cells, indicating both non- and cell-autonomous contributions to this phenotype. Importantly, GC plasticity was not dependent on proliferation and could not be solely explained by the activation of MYC programs. Instead, GC plasticity was associated with the reciprocal weakening of B cell identity and the de- repression of progenitor and stem cell-like programs induced by NFκB and other signals, downstream of TFH signaling. Therefore, physiological acquisition of GC B cell plasticity is tightly controlled by the affinity maturation positive selection checkpoint. Notably, Histone 1 loss of function, which results in aberrant stem cell gene reactivation through chromatin decompaction, allowed GC B cells to bypass this gatekeeping mechanism. Finally, patients with Diffuse LargeB Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) that enriched for GC plasticity signatures had significantly worse outcomes, implicating a role for this mechanism in immune regulation and fitness and potential relevance to lymphomagenesis.
2025-10-29 | GSE298424 | GEO
Project description:During the adaptive immune response, fully mature germinal center (GC) B cells manifest the unique capacity to undergo rapid multidirectional, and dramatic phenotypic shifts and evolve into diverse memory and antibody secreting cells. No other mature cell lineages are known to display such extensive phenotypic plasticity under physiological conditions. Whether this represents a form of differentiation or re-acquisition of stem-like plasticity remain unknown. Herein, we show that GC B cells undergo a transient gain of functional plasticity, which is unprecedented under physiological conditions. Strikingly, this process, which we call “anaplasis”, was spatially and temporally restricted to GC B cells receiving T cell help. Anaplasis involved partial silencing of the B cell program, the reactivation of embryonic stem cell super-enhancers and genes and was dependent on specific transcription factors. Notably, lymphoma mutations that enhance T cell help, further increased GC stem-like functionality, whereas mutations inducing chromatin plasticity bypassed the T cell requirement. Moreover, anaplasis signatures were associated with unfavorable outcome in Diffuse Large B cell lymphoma. Altogether, our findings document that differentiated cells can re-acquire stem-like plasticity under physiological conditions. This potentially harmful phenotype co-evolved with strict non-cell autonomous checkpoints linked to immunological selection processes. GC anaplasis may help to explain why most lymphoid malignancies arise from mature GC B cells and is potentially hijacked, leading to aggressive diseases and highly fit lymphomas.
2025-10-29 | GSE249081 | GEO
Project description:Germinal Center (GC) B cellsconstitutekey effectorsofthehumoral immune responseandundergoiterativerounds ofproliferation, somatic hypermutationof their immunoglobulin genesand eventuallycompete for T follicular helper (TFH) cellshelpin order togenerate cells with high affinity B cell receptor (BCR).While selected cells passing the critical TFHfitness checkpointcan differentiate toplasma cells,memory B cellsor go through additional rounds of proliferation and mutagenesis, the mechanisms enabling fully differentiated GCs to re-acquire plasticity–usually lost upon cell fate specification–arestill largely unknown.Herein,we report that matureGCsundergo a physiologicaltransientstate characterized byanincreased functional plasticity andinduced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)reprogramming capacity.This transition state isreminiscent of anaplasisdue to theconcomitantpartial activation of embryonic stem cellandattenuation of the B cell programs.We furthermore demonstrate thatGC anaplasisis dependent on TFHcells sincein vivointerference of TFH:GC B cells communication or lymphoma driver mutationsaffectingGCsresponse to TFHcell help were shown to modulate their reprogramming efficiency accordingly. Importantly, GC stem-like gene signatures, as revealed by single-cell Multiome analysis of thistransient anaplastic state, were often enriched inDiffuse Large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL)patients and associate with poor outcomes, suggesting that this rare preexisting plastic state might be hijacked and further enhancefitnessduring lymphomagenesis.
2025-10-29 | GSE249427 | GEO
Project description:Follicular T helper cells (Tfh) are critical for providing help to B cells for germinal center (GC) formation. Mutations affecting SAP prevent GC formation due to defective T:B cell interactions, yet effects on Tfh cell differentiation remain unclear. We describe the in vitro differentiation of functionally competent “Tfh-like” cells that expressed IL-21, Tfh markers, and Bcl6, and rescued GC formation in SAP-deficient hosts substantially better than other T helper (Th) cells. SAP-deficient Tfh-like cells appeared virtually indistinguishable from wildtype, yet failed to support GCs in vivo. Interestingly, both Tfh-like and in vivo-derived Tfh cells could produce effector cytokines in response to polarizing conditions. Moreover, other Th cell populations could be reprogrammed to obtain Tfh characteristics. ChIP-Seq analyses revealed positive epigenetic markings on Tbx21, Gata3 and Rorc in Tfh-like and ex vivo Tfh cells, and Bcl6 in other Th cells, supporting the concept of plasticity between Tfh and other Th populations. We describe the in vitro differentiation of functionally competent IL-21-producing cells with Tfh-like properties. Importantly, transfer of low numbers of these cells induced GC formation in SAP-deficient hosts more effectively than other in vitro differentiated Th cells, suggesting they represent bona fide Tfh cell precursors. We have chosen the name “Tfh-like” cells for these in vitro differentiated IL-21 producing cells as they exhibit Tfh characteristics, but do not reside within B cell follicles. SAP-deficient Tfh-like cells were virtually indistinguishable from WT, yet nonetheless, failed to effectively contribute to Tfh cells and rescue GC formation in vivo. Evaluation of cytokine production as well as epigenetic chromatin modifications of genes encoding Th cell-specific transcription factors from either in vitro-generated Tfh-like cells or Tfh cells isolated directly ex vivo provided evidence for plasticity between Tfh-like and other Th cell populations. Our results provide insight into the requirements for differentiation and plasticity of Tfh cells, which are critical for the generation of effective long-term humoral immunity. RNA was prepared from subconfluent asynchronously proliferating cells using TRIZOL and purified by RNeasy MinElute Cleanup kit (Qiagen). Hybridization to Affymetrix GeneChip Mouse Genome 430 2.0 arrays was used to generate gene expression profiles of WT Tfh-like and SAP-deficient Tfh-like cells.
2011-12-06 | E-GEOD-32624 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Follicular T helper cells (Tfh) provide critical help to B cells for germinal center (GC) formation. Mutations affecting SLAM-associated Protein (SAP) prevent GC formation due to defective T-B cell interactions, yet effects on Tfh cell differentiation remain unclear. We describe the in vitro differentiation of functionally-competent “Tfh-like” cells that expressed Interleukin-21, Tfh markers, and Bcl6, and rescued GC formation in SAP-deficient hosts better than other T helper (Th) cells. SAP-deficient Tfh-like cells appeared virtually indistinguishable from wildtype, yet failed to support GCs in vivo. Interestingly, both Tfh-like and in vivo-derived Tfh cells could produce effector cytokines in response to polarizing conditions. Moreover, Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells could be reprogrammed to obtain Tfh characteristics. ChIP-Seq analyses revealed positive epigenetic markings on Tbx21, Gata3 and Rorc in Tfh-like and ex vivo Tfh cells, and Bcl6 in other Th cell populations, supporting the concept of plasticity between Tfh and other Th cells. Epigenetic modifications were evaluated in ChIP-Seq studies by profiling histone H3K4 and H3K27 trimethylation marks between Th1, Th2, Th17, Tfh-like, and CXCR5+PD-1+ sorted Tfh-like in vitro generated T helper cell populations and ex vivo derived Tfh cells.
2012-01-05 | E-GEOD-32864 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Follicular T helper cells (Tfh) are critical for providing help to B cells for germinal center (GC) formation. Mutations affecting SAP prevent GC formation due to defective T:B cell interactions, yet effects on Tfh cell differentiation remain unclear. We describe the in vitro differentiation of functionally competent “Tfh-like” cells that expressed IL-21, Tfh markers, and Bcl6, and rescued GC formation in SAP-deficient hosts substantially better than other T helper (Th) cells. SAP-deficient Tfh-like cells appeared virtually indistinguishable from wildtype, yet failed to support GCs in vivo. Interestingly, both Tfh-like and in vivo-derived Tfh cells could produce effector cytokines in response to polarizing conditions. Moreover, other Th cell populations could be reprogrammed to obtain Tfh characteristics. ChIP-Seq analyses revealed positive epigenetic markings on Tbx21, Gata3 and Rorc in Tfh-like and ex vivo Tfh cells, and Bcl6 in other Th cells, supporting the concept of plasticity between Tfh and other Th populations. We describe the in vitro differentiation of functionally competent IL-21-producing cells with Tfh-like properties. Importantly, transfer of low numbers of these cells induced GC formation in SAP-deficient hosts more effectively than other in vitro differentiated Th cells, suggesting they represent bona fide Tfh cell precursors. We have chosen the name “Tfh-like” cells for these in vitro differentiated IL-21 producing cells as they exhibit Tfh characteristics, but do not reside within B cell follicles. SAP-deficient Tfh-like cells were virtually indistinguishable from WT, yet nonetheless, failed to effectively contribute to Tfh cells and rescue GC formation in vivo. Evaluation of cytokine production as well as epigenetic chromatin modifications of genes encoding Th cell-specific transcription factors from either in vitro-generated Tfh-like cells or Tfh cells isolated directly ex vivo provided evidence for plasticity between Tfh-like and other Th cell populations. Our results provide insight into the requirements for differentiation and plasticity of Tfh cells, which are critical for the generation of effective long-term humoral immunity.
2011-12-06 | GSE32624 | GEO
Project description:Follicular T helper cells (Tfh) provide critical help to B cells for germinal center (GC) formation. Mutations affecting SLAM-associated Protein (SAP) prevent GC formation due to defective T-B cell interactions, yet effects on Tfh cell differentiation remain unclear. We describe the in vitro differentiation of functionally-competent “Tfh-like” cells that expressed Interleukin-21, Tfh markers, and Bcl6, and rescued GC formation in SAP-deficient hosts better than other T helper (Th) cells. SAP-deficient Tfh-like cells appeared virtually indistinguishable from wildtype, yet failed to support GCs in vivo. Interestingly, both Tfh-like and in vivo-derived Tfh cells could produce effector cytokines in response to polarizing conditions. Moreover, Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells could be reprogrammed to obtain Tfh characteristics. ChIP-Seq analyses revealed positive epigenetic markings on Tbx21, Gata3 and Rorc in Tfh-like and ex vivo Tfh cells, and Bcl6 in other Th cell populations, supporting the concept of plasticity between Tfh and other Th cells.
2012-01-05 | GSE32864 | GEO
Project description:CD4 T cell help is critical for both the generation and maintenance of germinal centers, and T follicular helper (TFH) cells are the CD4 T cell subset required for this process. SAP (SH2D1A) expression in CD4 T cells is essential for germinal center development. However, SAP-deficient mice have only a moderate defect in TFH differentiation as defined by common TFH surface markers. CXCR5+ TFH cells are found within the germinal center as well as along the boundary regions of T/B cell zones. Here we show that germinal center associated T cells (GC TFH) can be identified by their co-expression of CXCR5 and the GL7 epitope, allowing for phenotypic and functional analysis of TFH and GC TFH populations. Here we show GC TFH are a functionally discrete subset of further polarized TFH cells, with enhanced B cell help capacity and a specialized ability to produce IL-4 in a TH2-independent manner. Strikingly, SAP-deficient mice have an absence of the GC TFH subset and SAP- TFH are defective in IL-4 and IL-21 production. We further demonstrate that SLAM (Slamf1, CD150), a surface receptor that utilizes SAP signaling, is specifically required for IL-4 production by GC TFH. GC TFH cells require IL-4 and IL-21 production for optimal help to B cells. These data illustrate complexities of SAP-dependent SLAM family receptor signaling, revealing a prominent role for SLAM receptor ligation in IL-4 production by germinal center CD4 T cells but not in TFH and GC TFH differentiation. This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series: GSE21379: Expression Data from WT and Sh2d1a-/- in vivo follicular helper CD4 T cells (TFH) versus non follicular helper CD4 T cells (non-TFH) GSE21380: Expression Data from in vivo Tfh vs GC Tfh vs non-Tfh Refer to individual Series
2010-04-28 | E-GEOD-21381 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:A range of current candidate AIDS vaccine regimens are focused on generating protective HIV neutralizing antibody responses. Many of these efforts rely on the rhesus macaque animal model. Understanding how protective antibody responses develop and how to increase their efficacy are both major knowledge gaps. Germinal centers (GC) are the engines of antibody affinity maturation. GC T follicular helper (GC Tfh) CD4 T cells are required for GCs. Studying vaccine-specific GC Tfh cells after protein immunizations has been challenging, as antigen-specific GC Tfh cells are difficult to identify by conventional intracellular cytokine staining (ICS). Cytokine production by GC Tfh cells may be intrinsically limited in comparison to other T helper effector cells, as the biological role of a GC Tfh cell is to provide help to individual B cells within the GC, rather than secreting large amounts of cytokines bathing a tissue. To test this idea, we developed a cytokine-independent method to identify antigen-specific GC Tfh cells. RNAseq was performed using TCR stimulated GC Tfh cells to identify candidate markers based on differentially expressed genes and other criteria. Validation experiments determined CD25 (IL2Ra) and OX40 to be highly upregulated activation induced markers on the surface of GC Tfh cells after stimulation. In comparison to ICS, the activation induced marker (AIM) assay identified > 10-fold more antigen-specific GC Tfh cells in HIV Env protein immunized macaques (BG505 SOSIP). Additionally, the AIM assay detected antigen-specific CXCR5+ and CXCR5- CD4 T cells in peripheral blood. Thus, AIM demonstrates that antigen-specific GC Tfh cells are intrinsically stingy producers of cytokines, which is likely an essential part of their biological function. Total RNA obtained from GC Tfh cells from 3 rhesus macaque lymph node cell samples stimulated with Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B compared with 2 unstimulated cell samples.
2016-09-07 | E-GEOD-81382 | biostudies-arrayexpress