B cell helper T cells and type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease typically starting in childhood that culminates in the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Although type 1 diabetes is considered to be a primarily T cell-mediated disease, B cells clearly participate in the autoimmune process, as autoantibodies recognizing pancreatic islet antigen commonly appear in circulation before the onset of the disease. T cells providing helper functions to B cells have recently been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of a wide range of antibody-associated immune disorders. These T cells include CXCR5-positive follicular T helper (Tfh) cells, and a recently described closely related CXCR5-negative subset coined peripheral T helper (Tph) cells. Here, we review the current state of knowledge on different B cell helper T cell subsets, focusing on their potential involvement in the development of type 1 diabetes.