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Multiple checkpoints keep follicular helper T cells under control to prevent autoimmunity

Cellular & Molecular Immunology volume 7, pages 198–203 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells select mutated B cells in germinal centres, which can then differentiate into long-lived high affinity memory B cells and plasma cells. Tfh cells are regulated by a unique molecular programme orchestrated by the transcriptional repressor Bcl6. This transcription factor turns down expression of multiple genes, including transcriptional regulators of other T helper lineages and a vast amount of microRNAs. This enables Tfh cells to express a suite of chemokine receptors, stimulatory ligands and cytokines that enable migration into B-cell follicles, and provision of effective help to B cells. Not surprisingly, dysregulation of this powerful helper subset can lead to a range of autoantibody-mediated diseases; indeed, aberrant accumulation of Tfh cells has been linked with systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's disease and autoimmune arthritis. Here we dissect multiple checkpoints that operate throughout Tfh cell development and maturation to maintain immunological tolerance while mounting robust and long-lasting antibody responses.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to acknowledge constructive discussion with Nina Chevalier, Charles R. Mackay, Jing He and Zhanguo Li. CGV is supported by a Viertel Senior Medical Research Fellowship and NHMRC project and programme grants. DY is supported by a Cancer Institute New South Wales Fellowship, an NHMRC Fellowships and an NHMRC programme grant to CRM.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Di Yu

  2. Department of Immunology and Genetics, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Canberra, ACT, Australia

    Carola G Vinuesa

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Correspondence to Di Yu.

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Yu, D., Vinuesa, C. Multiple checkpoints keep follicular helper T cells under control to prevent autoimmunity. Cell Mol Immunol 7, 198–203 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/cmi.2010.18

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