Molecular Control of Follicular Helper T cell Development and Differentiation

Haijing Wu; Yaxiong Deng; Yaxiong Deng; Ming Zhao; Jianzhong Zhang; Min Zheng; Genghui Chen; Linfeng Li; Zhibiao He; Qianjin Lu

doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.02470

Frontiers in Immunology (Oct 2018)

Molecular Control of Follicular Helper T cell Development and Differentiation

Haijing Wu,
Yaxiong Deng,
Yaxiong Deng,
Ming Zhao,
Jianzhong Zhang,
Min Zheng,
Genghui Chen,
Linfeng Li,
Zhibiao He,
Qianjin Lu

Affiliations

Haijing Wu: Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
Yaxiong Deng: Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
Yaxiong Deng: Immunology Section, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
Ming Zhao: Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
Jianzhong Zhang: Department of Dermatology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
Min Zheng: Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
Genghui Chen: Beijing Wenfeng Tianji Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Beijing, China
Linfeng Li: Department of Dermatology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
Zhibiao He: Department of Emergency, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
Qianjin Lu: Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2018.02470
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9

Abstract

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Follicular helper T cells (Tfh) are specialized helper T cells that are predominantly located in germinal centers and provide help to B cells. The development and differentiation of Tfh cells has been shown to be regulated by transcription factors, such as B-cell lymphoma 6 protein (Bcl-6), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein-1 (Blimp-1). In addition, cytokines, including IL-21, have been found to be important for Tfh cell development. Moreover, several epigenetic modifications have also been reported to be involved in the determination of Tfh cell fate. The regulatory network is complicated, and the number of novel molecules demonstrated to control the fate of Tfh cells is increasing. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the current knowledge regarding the molecular regulation of Tfh cell development and differentiation at the protein level and at the epigenetic level to elucidate Tfh cell biology and provide potential targets for clinical interventions in the future.

Published in Frontiers in Immunology

ISSN: 1664-3224 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Specialties of internal medicine: Immunologic diseases. Allergy
Website: http://journal.frontiersin.org/journal/immunology

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Abstract

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