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Evaluation of T Follicular Helper Cells and Germinal Center Response During Influenza A Virus Infection in Mice
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Characterization of human FDCs reveals regulation of T cells and antigen presentation to B cells

Balthasar A Heesters1, Kyah van Megesen1, Ilhan Tomris2

  • 1Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Department of Experimental Immunology, Amsterdam institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|August 23, 2021
PubMed

Stromal-derived follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) are essential for germinal centers (GCs), the site where B cells maturate their antibodies. FDCs present native antigen to B cells and maintain a CXCL13 gradient to form the B cell follicle. Yet despite their essential role, the transcriptome of human FDCs remains undefined. Using single-cell RNA sequencing and microarray, we provided the transcriptome of these enigmatic cells as a comprehensive resource. Key genes were validated by flow cytometry and microscopy. Surprisingly, marginal reticular cells (MRCs) rather than FDCs expressed B cell activating factor (BAFF). Furthermore, we found that human FDCs expressed TLR4 and can alter antigen availability in response to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). High expression of PD-L1 and PD-L2 on FDCs activated PD1 on T cells. In addition, we found expression of genes related to T cell regulation, such as HLA-DRA, CD40, and others. These data suggest intimate contact between human FDCs and T cells.

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