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Updated: May 16, 2026

Evaluation of T Follicular Helper Cells and Germinal Center Response During Influenza A Virus Infection in Mice
Published on: June 27, 2020
Interferon-γ excess leads to pathogenic accumulation of follicular helper T cells and germinal centers
Sau K Lee1, Diego G Silva, Jaime L Martin
1Department of Pathogens and Immunity, John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia.
Abstract:
Overactivity of the germinal center (GC) pathway resulting from accumulation of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells causes autoimmunity, underscoring the need to understand the factors that control Tfh cell homeostasis. Here we have identifed posttranscriptional repression of interferon-γ (Ifng) mRNA as a mechanism to limit Tfh cell formation. By using the sanroque lupus model, we have shown that decreased Ifng mRNA decay caused excessive IFN-γ signaling in T cells and led to accumulation of Tfh cells, spontaneous GC, autoantibody formation, and nephritis. Unlike ICOS and T-bet deficiency that failed to rescue several autoimmune manifestations, interferon-γ receptor (IFN-γR) deficiency prevented lupus development. IFN-γ blockade reduced Tfh cells and autoantibodies, demonstrating that IFN-γ overproduction was required to sustain lupus-associated pathology. Increased IFN-γR signaling caused Bcl-6 overexpression in Tfh cells and their precursors. This link between IFN-γ and aberrant Tfh cell formation provides a rationale for IFN-γ blockade in lupus patients with an overactive Tfh cell-associated pathway.
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