T follicular helper cells differentiate from Th2 cells in response to helminth antigens.

Abstract

The relationship of T follicular helper (TFH) cells to other T helper (Th) subsets is controversial. We find that after helminth infection, or immunization with helminth antigens, reactive lymphoid organs of 4get IL-4/GFP reporter mice contain populations of IL-4/GFP-expressing CD4(+) T cells that display the TFH markers CXCR5, PD-1, and ICOS. These TFH cells express the canonical TFH markers BCL6 and IL-21, but also GATA3, the master regulator of Th2 cell differentiation. Consistent with a relationship between Th2 and TFH cells, IL-4 protein production, reported by expression of huCD2 in IL-4 dual reporter (4get/KN2) mice, was a robust marker of TFH cells in LNs responding to helminth antigens. Moreover, the majority of huCD2/IL-4-producing Th cells were found within B cell follicles, consistent with their definition as TFH cells. TFH cell development after immunization failed to occur in mice lacking B cells or CD154. The relationship of TFH cells to the Th2 lineage was confirmed when TFH cells were found to develop from CXCR5(-) PD-1(-) IL-4/GFP(+) CD4(+) T cells after their transfer into naive mice and antigen challenge in vivo.

• Authors: Arielle Glatman Zaretsky, Justin J Taylor, Irah L King, Fraser A Marshall, Markus Mohrs, Edward J Pearce
• Journal: The Journal of experimental medicine (J Exp Med) Vol. 206 Issue 5 Pg. 991-9 (May 11 2009) ISSN: 1540-9538 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19380637 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antigens, Helminth
• Immunoglobulin G
• Interleukin-13
• Interleukin-4
• Immunoglobulin E

Topics

• Animals
• Antibody Formation
• Antigens, Helminth (immunology)
• B-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes (immunology)
• Cell Differentiation (immunology)
• Genes, Reporter
• Helminthiasis (immunology)
• Immunoglobulin E (immunology)
• Immunoglobulin G (immunology)
• Interleukin-13 (immunology)
• Interleukin-4 (immunology)
• Mice
• Mice, Transgenic
• Schistosomiasis mansoni (immunology)
• T-Lymphocyte Subsets (immunology)
• T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer (immunology)
• Th2 Cells (cytology, immunology)