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Abstract
Most currently available vaccines rely on the induction of long-lasting protective humoral immune responses by memory B cells and plasma cells. Antibody responses against most antigens require interactions between antigen-specific B cells and CD4+ T cells. Follicular helper T cells (TFH cells) are specialized subset of T cells that provide help to B cells and are essential for germinal center formation, affinity maturation, and the development of high-affinity antibodies. TFH-cell differentiation is a multistage process involving B-cell lymphoma 6 and other transcription factors, cytokines, and costimulation through inducible costimulator (ICOS) and several other molecules. This article reviews recent advances in our understanding of TFH cell biology, including their differentiation, transcriptional regulation, and function.
Graphic Abstract
Development of follicular helper T cells is controlled by TCR, cytokine, and ICOS-mediated signals, and downstream transcription factors.
Notes
This review was written in response to the author’s receipt of the Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry Award for the Encouragement of Young Scientist in 2011.