New insights into follicular helper T cell response and regulation in autoimmune pathogenesis

摘要

Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells play a key role in driving B cell activation and differentiation during germinal center reactions in immune responses and autoimmune development, and these cells are characterized by high expression of CXCR5, PD1, ICOS, IL-21 and BCL6. Increasing evidence indicates that the functional dysregulation of Tfh cells contributes to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), which is a common autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration and tissue inflammation in salivary glands (SGs) and lacrimal glands that leads to dry mouth and dry eyes.1 Here, we provide a brief commentary on recent advances in understanding the Tfh cell response with a focus on new insights into Tfh cell regulation and therapeutic implications in autoimmune diseases.