T follicular helper cell subsets: a potential key player in autoimmunity
Izumi Kurata1, Isao Matsumoto1, Takayuki Sumida1
1Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Abstract:
Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells are one of CD4+ helper T subsets which promote B cell maturation, activation and antigen-specific antibody production. Autoantibodies are hallmarks of autoimmune diseases, and crucial contributions of Tfh cells in development of these diseases are now evident. Deregulation of Tfh activities can contribute to a pathogenic autoantibody production and can play an important role in the promotion of autoimmune diseases. These days multiple researchers reported three subpopulations which has distinct effector functions in Tfh cells: Tfh1, Tfh2 and Tfh17 cells. In this review, we summarize the observed alterations in whole Tfh cells and subset distribution during autoimmune diseases.
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