Tfh cell-derived small extracellular vesicles exacerbate the severity of collagen-induced arthritis by enhancing

Jian Lu1, Huimin Zhou1, Yuxuan Chen2

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China; Department of Immunology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.

PubMed

Soluble components secreted by Tfh cells are critical for the germinal center responses. In this study, we investigated whether Tfh cells could regulate the B-cell response by releasing small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). Our results showed that Tfh cells promote B-cell differentiation and antibody production through sEVs and that CD40L plays a crucial role in Tfh-sEVs function. In addition, increased Tfh-sEVs were found in mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Adoptive transfer of Tfh cells significantly exacerbated the severity of CIA; however, the effect of Tfh cells on exacerbating the CIA process was significantly diminished after inhibiting sEVs secretion. Moreover, the levels of plasma Tfh-like-sEVs and CD40L expression on Tfh-like-sEVs in RA patients were significantly higher than those in healthy subjects. In summary, Tfh cell-derived sEVs can enhance the B-cell response, and exacerbate the procession of autoimmune arthritis.

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