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Author Spotlight: Elucidating the Pathways of TFH Cell Differentiation in Acute LCMV Challenges
Published on: April 26, 2024
The Differentiation and Maintenance of SARS-CoV-2-Specific Follicular Helper T Cells
Yifei Wang1, Qin Tian2,3, Lilin Ye1,3
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Immune Regulation and Immunotherapy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Upon acute viral infection, virus-specific CD4+ T cells differentiate into either TH1 cells or follicular helper T (TFH) cells. The molecular pathways governing such bimodal cell fate commitment remain elusive. Additionally, effector virus-specific TFH cells further differentiate into corresponding memory population, which confer long-term protection against re-infection of same viruses by providing immediate help to virus-specific memory B cells. Currently, the molecular mechanisms underlying the long-term maintenance of memory TFH cells are largely unknown. In this review, we discuss current understanding of early differentiation of virus-specific effector TFH cells and long-term maintenance of virus-specific memory TFH cells in mouse models of viral infection and patients of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.
Upon acute viral infection, virus-specific CD4+ T cells differentiate into either TH1 cells or follicular helper T (TFH) cells. The molecular pathways governing such bimodal cell fate commitment remain elusive. Additionally, effector virus-specific TFH cells further differentiate into corresponding memory population, which confer long-term protection against re-infection of same viruses by providing immediate help to virus-specific memory B cells. Currently, the molecular mechanisms underlying the long-term maintenance of memory TFH cells are largely unknown. In this review, we discuss current understanding of early differentiation of virus-specific effector TFH cells and long-term maintenance of virus-specific memory TFH cells in mouse models of viral infection and patients of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.
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