Follicular helper T cells in rheumatoid arthritis
Meixing Yu1, Vanesssa Cavero, Qiao Lu
1The Joint Research Center of the West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University and Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong, the West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Abstract:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation in the joints and other tissues. Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anticyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) are biomarkers for the evaluation of RA although their functions in the pathogenesis of RA are poorly understood. CXC-chemokine receptor 5 (CXCR5)(+) T follicular helper (TFH) cells are essential for B cell maturation and antibody production. Recent studies have showed that dysregulated TFH cells are associated with the development of autoimmune diseases. This article reviews the characters and functions of TFH cells, such as their differentiation, expression, transcription factor, and B cell maturation. Meanwhile, we also discuss the possible mechanisms underlying the role of these cells in RA and potential treatments, including antibody-blocking agents, gene therapies, T cell vaccines, and T follicular regulatory (TFR) cells. Overall, we discuss the roles of TFH cells in the pathogenesis of RA and potential therapies for RA.
Related Concept Videos
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
Autoimmune Disorders
Concept and Mechanism of Autoimmune Diseases
The immune...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction


