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Transcriptional regulation of follicular T‐helper (Tfh) cells
Author(s) -
Liu Xindong,
Nurieva Roza I.,
Dong Chen
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
immunological reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.839
H-Index - 223
eISSN - 1600-065X
pISSN - 0105-2896
DOI - 10.1111/imr.12040
Subject(s) - bcl6 , germinal center , biology , effector , cellular differentiation , transcriptional regulation , microbiology and biotechnology , transcription factor , regulation of gene expression , b cell , immunology , gene , antibody , genetics
Summary T‐follicular helper (Tfh) cells are a new subset of effector CD 4 + T cells that are specialized in helping B cells in the germinal center reaction. Tfh cells are distinct from other established CD 4 + T‐cell lineages, Th1, Th2, Th17, and T‐regulatory cells, in their gene expression profiles. Tfh cell differentiation results from a network of transcriptional regulation by a master transcriptional factor Bcl6 as well as IRF 4, c‐Maf, Batf, and STAT 3/5. During Tfh cell ontogeny, increased CXCR 5 expression directs activated T‐cell migration to the follicles, and their interaction with B cells leads to Bcl6 upregulation, which helps establish effector and memory Tfh cell program. This review summarizes the recent progress in molecular mechanisms underlying Tfh differentiation and discusses the future perspectives for this important area of research.