Premium
T follicular regulatory cells in mice and men
Author(s) -
Maceiras Ana Raquel,
Fonseca Valter R.,
AguaDoce Ana,
Graca Luis
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1111/imm.12774
Subject(s) - germinal center , foxp3 , interleukin 21 , follicular phase , cxcr5 , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , regulatory t cell , population , il 2 receptor , cd40 , follicular dendritic cells , immune system , immunology , t cell , cytotoxic t cell , b cell , antigen presenting cell , antibody , genetics , in vitro , medicine , environmental health
Summary It has long been known that CD 4 T cells are necessary to provide help to B cells, triggering a germinal centre ( GC ) reaction where affinity maturation and isotype switching occur. However, the nature of the dedicated CD 4 helper T cells, known as T follicular helper (Tfh), was only recently described. Here, we review the biology and function of the recently described T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells, another CD 4 T‐cell population also found within GC s but with regulatory function and characteristics. Tfr cells have been identified in mice and humans as simultaneously presenting characteristics of T follicular cells (namely CXCR 5 expression) and regulatory T cells (including Foxp3 expression). These Tfr cells have been implicated in the regulation of the magnitude of the GC reaction, as well as in protection from immune‐mediated pathology.